INVERCLYDE'S MSP says he is hoping to raise his concern at the area's high dementia death rates in the Scottish Parliament this week.

SNP representative Stuart McMillan says he also plans to speak to local organisations helping people with dementia to get a better understanding of why the area has such persistently high rates of death linked to the condition.

Figures published on Tuesday show that Inverclyde has the joint highest rates for dementia deaths in Scotland.

Mr McMillan said: "I intend, if selected, to ask the First Minister on Thursday about what more the Scottish Government can do at a national level to support those living with dementia in Inverclyde.

"I am also seeking a meeting with local dementia services to get a better understanding of why Inverclyde has seen such a consistent issue with this indiscriminate disease.

"My heartfelt condolences go out to those who’ve been lost a loved one to this horrible disease."

"I would first and foremost say to anyone who has a family member living with the condition at present, seek support as there are organisations that can help.

"Inverclyde features all too often at the top or bottom of unenviable lists, which is partly due to our population size, compared to other, larger areas, and our age demographic.

"We also face the difficult truth that deaths caused by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are 1.3 times more likely if you’re from a deprived community.

“We should not shy away from these figures, but redouble our efforts to make sure those living in Inverclyde with dementia receive the care and support they deserve."

At the same time Alzheimer Scotland called for a 'life changing treatment' to be authorised for use on the NHS to save more lives along with a national plan to tackle dementia deaths.

The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) said last month that Lecanemab's benefits were too small to justify the high cost of the drug.

Alzheimer Scotland's chief Henry Simmons said: "Alzheimer Scotland urges the NICE and the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) to authorise Lecanemab for NHS use.

"It is only right that this potentially life-changing treatment is made available to all those who could benefit from it, and not just to those who can afford to pay for it privately.

"These new figures also give a renewed urgency to our calls for effective prevention strategies."