One unexpected “benefit” of having dementia is that I finally gave up smoking. Smoking is one of the major causes of high blood pressure, which in turn is a leading cause of mini-strokes, often linked to vascular dementia. You also save a fortune and, according to my wife, make life much more pleasant for non-smokers!I still find nicotine pouches and gum useful for controlling the cravings.Buying them online, however, can be tricky for those of us living with dementia. This morning two major suppliers were competing for my business. The winner was the one that offered a call-back if I needed help. I did need help – and they called back. A real person sorted everything out quickly and won my business.So few online companies now let you speak to another human being. This little anecdote shows why it matters. Good customer service isn’t just the right thing to do – it makes good business sense.Online banking remains difficult and, as I wrote last week, my bank seems to have developed an aversion to answering the telephone.Coincidentally, it’s also time to renew Sally’s car insurance and our house and contents insurance. Let me just say that comparison websites are an alien landscape for those of us with dementia. Human insurance brokers are far easier to deal with – but sadly they are becoming increasingly rare.On the health front, little has changed. Those of us with dementia are especially vulnerable during this excessive heat. It also makes my therapeutic walks with the dogs unsafe, so they are temporarily on hold.As the search continues for answers to my ongoing blood pressure and anaemia problems, I had two face-to-face appointments this week with two brilliant NHS professionals.The first was at Andover Memorial Hospital, a former community “cottage” hospital. The old ethos of kindness and patient-centred care has survived, and it remains our favourite of the many hospitals we’ve had to use.The second appointment was at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester for a pre-assessment. Before attending, I received an email telling me I had to complete an online pre-assessment form using the NHS App. For someone with dementia, it simply isn’t fit for purpose.I tried, but quickly realised the assessment process had been outsourced to a private IT company – which was hardly reassuring.What was reassuring was the staff nurse who greeted us. She calmly took us through every question, including my long list of medications. Sally commented that it would surely save time and money if all that information could simply be pulled from a central NHS record. The nurse replied that it was there – but the questionnaire still had to be completed.She smiled and admitted that, in her experience, doing it face to face was better and more reliable. We couldn’t have agreed more. She was knowledgeable, patient and incredibly reassuring – a wonderful example of the NHS at its best.On the political front, Sir Keir Starmer finally confirmed he was standing down after Andy Burnham’s victory in Makerfield. I enjoyed GB News’ coverage with Christopher Hope and Katherine Forster. The BBC coverage felt rather shouty. I don’t know whether ITV News ran a special programme – I somehow doubt it.Many commentators described it as the most consequential by-election since Corby, Glasgow Hillhead and others. I remember them all despite the dementia. My own favourite remains Langbaurgh in 1991, when my dear friend, the wonderfully funny and delightfully naughty Mo Mowlam, ran Labour’s successful campaign.Prime Minister’s Questions was brutal. Kemi Badenoch may have gone a little too far in her exchanges with the Education Secretary, but we already know Andy Burnham is no fan of VAT on school fees.Badenoch asked what Labour had gained from what she called the political assassination of Starmer. “A pair of eyelashes and a black T-shirt,” she quipped. The future certainly looks interesting.Starmer’s departure speech from the lectern in Downing Street was dignified and, at times, quite touching.Wes Streeting said he would not stand. Rachel Reeves announced she would back Andy Burnham, despite rumours that Burnham would replace her as Chancellor anyway.The sudden enthusiasm from Labour’s army of backbench MPs for Andy Burnham was almost embarrassing. It reminded me of people rushing to join the winning side.David Lammy is also said to be considering a leadership bid. It would be laughable if it weren’t quite so tragic – and, perhaps, rather delusional.