Today - 17/11/2009

Presented by John Humphrys and Evan Davis. Dementia patients are receiving poor care in NHS hospitals in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, according to a new report by the Alzheimer's Society. The charity questioned more than 2,000 nurses and carers, and found that some patients were not assisted with eating or drinking. Nurses reported having insufficient or no training in the area. Kieran Mullan, director of policy at the Patients Association, examines the report's findings. A Tory parliamentary candidate has fought off a de-selection vote, over revelations of an affair. Liz Truss kept her Norfolk constituency association seat by a comfortable margin. The association were not informed of the affair, despite Westminster knowing of it, exposing tensions between the 'Turnip Taliban' and the 'Notting Hill Set' within the Tory party. John Strafford, chairman of the Campaign for Conservative Democracy, and Eric Pickles, chairman of the Conservative Party, discuss the implications for the reputation of the Conservative Party. President Obama is in China to meet its leaders and improve relations with the country. There are concerns within the US government over China's increasing strength and international dominance. China correspondent Damian Grammaticas reports on China's growing military forces and the rise of nationalism. The International Atomic Energy Authority (IAEA) has said it wants more information on Iran's nuclear site at Qom. Inspectors are concerned that delay in declaring the uranium enrichment plant raises questions about the existence of other nuclear secrets. Sir Richard Dalton, former British ambassador to Iran, comments on Iran's nuclear policy. As the debate continues over what to do in Afghanistan, Today has been hearing from Major Richard Streatfeild, who is serving with the Rifles in Helmand Province. Much of that debate has focused on whether or not the local population want British forces there or not. In his latest despatch Major Streatfeild describes his early efforts to win the confidence of the people of the upper Sangin Valley, where he is stationed. Thought for the Day with Vishvapani, a member of the Western Buddhist Order. The charity Barnardo's is warning that thousands of children across the UK are being sexually exploited by adults. The charity says there is evidence that abusers are becoming increasingly organised and are transporting children across the UK to be sold for sex. Correspondent Kim Catcheside reports on the rise in child trafficking, and chief executive of Barnardo's, Martin Narey, discusses policies to help trafficked children. President Obama has been meeting China's leaders in attempts to seek closer co-operation and trust. China's growing political, economic and military powers are raising concerns in the West. Jonathan Fenby, China director at the Research Service Trusted Sources, and China expert Dr Stephen Tsang examine the US's relationship with China. Gordon Brown has delivered a speech defending Britain's involvement in Afghanistan. The prime minister announced that seven out of the top twelve Al Qaeda figures have been killed, and that there should be a timetable for transferring control - district by district - to full Afghan control starting next year. Security correspondent Gordon Corera comments on the speech. Eyebrows were raised when multi-billionaire Warren Buffet spent 34 billion dollars buying a stake in the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway. But did the Oracle from Omaha make a good move? Correspondent Kevin Connolly reports from Santa Fe, amid signs that the US railroad industry is making a comeback. The Alzheimer's Society has launched a new report criticising care for dementia sufferers in hospitals in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Counting the Cost: Caring for People with Dementia on Hospital Wards suggests that patients are leaving hospital far worse off than when they went in. The cost of ineffective hospital care for people with dementia is estimated to be at least 80 million pounds a year. Neil Hunt, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Association, and Care Services Minister Phil Hope discuss whether dementia patients are being cared for properly. The Mexican city of Juarez is fast becoming one of the most dangerous places to live in the world. Yesterday a funeral was held for a seven-year-old boy, one of the latest victims of the violence. Mexico's president has pledged to wipe out the drug cartels which he blames for the breakdown of law and order. Thousands of troops have been sent to Juarez, but have so far failed to stop the killing. Correspondent Matthew Price reports from Mexico. Thousands of microscopic worms have been blasted into space aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis, which took off from Cape Canaveral last night. The worms are part of study into human physiology. Nathaniel Szewczyk, of the University of Nottingham's Institute of Clinical Research, discusses how the worms are being use