HEALTH Secretary Jeremy Hunt, has appointed Oscar-nominated actress Carey Mulligan as the first ever UK global Dementia Friends ambassador.

Announcing the new appointment, the South West Surrey Tory MP said: “We have made great strides in improving diagnosis rates, investing in research and creating the first dementia friendly communities, but we still have much further to go to promise everyone that they will be able to live well with the condition.

“The impact of dementia tears at families and at our social fabric - that’s why making progress is a key government priority. Carey Mulligan will be a great asset both in raising awareness and promoting the benefits of the Dementia Friends programme – at home and globally.”

To mark the announcement, he joined Carey at Heathrow Airport, which is working towards becoming the world’s first dementia friendly airport, to lead a Dementia Friends training session for the airport’s staff.

It is hoped the high-profile appointment will bring international attention to the benefits of making communities dementia friendly, and also a renewed focus on the Alzheimer’s Society’s programme in England.

Dementia is the biggest health and social care crisis facing the world today. 47.5 million people are living with the condition globally, with this number set to rise to 135 million by 2050.

Heathrow has pledged for all 76,000 customer-facing staff to be dementia-aware, through Dementia Friends sessions, training and online resources.

So far 301 key staff who regularly interact with passengers affected by dementia, have become Dementia Friends and training is part of the induction for all new staff.

“My grandmother has dementia and I have experienced first-hand how devastating it can be,” said Carey, who starred in Suffragette Gatsby

She added:“It affects everyone differently, and it’s so important that everyone affected by the condition is treated with the respect and dignity that they deserve.

“At the moment, there’s not nearly enough awareness and as a global society we have a duty to change that.

“The first step involves educating people and breaking down stigma – not just on our doorstep, but across the world. I’ve seen my mum doing this in her role as a Dementia Friends champion, now I’m honoured to become the first UK global Dementia Friends ambassador and help Alzheimer’s Society and the Government change global attitudes towards dementia.”