Recent NHS data reveals a record 487,432 individuals in England received a dementia diagnosis in June, as reported by The Guardian.
Despite this milestone, the diagnosis rate remains below pre-pandemic levels, with 65% of those estimated to have dementia diagnosed, missing the NHS target of 66.7% last achieved in 2019.
England boasts one of the highest dementia diagnosis rates globally, with high-income countries typically ranging between 20-50%. The NHS attributes this success to specialist nursing and proactive assessments in care homes. However, a postcode lottery persists, as highlighted by an all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on dementia, estimating over 115,000 undiagnosed dementia cases due to geographic disparities. NHS primary care data from 2023 showed a 45 percentage point difference between the best and worst-performing areas.
Several structural barriers contribute to this disparity, including cultural differences, difficulty accessing GPs, long memory assessment waits, inadequate post-diagnostic support, limited scanning resources, and transportation issues for appointments.
The APPG has urged the previous government to significantly enhance scanning capacity and workforce, and for NHS integrated care boards to develop strategic local plans to improve diagnostic service access. Early diagnosis is crucial for providing necessary support and care for those living with dementia.
The NHS encourages individuals to seek evaluation if they exhibit common early dementia symptoms and urges family and friends to support those showing signs to visit a GP for assessment.
Dr. Jeremy Isaacs, national clinical director for dementia at NHS England, acknowledged the significant progress in recovering services, with record numbers of diagnoses but emphasized the need for continued efforts. He noted that thousands more diagnoses are made each month, and medication reviews have increased within the past year, with 86,434 people receiving reviews in the preceding 12 months, up from 77,112 in June 2023.
Early dementia symptoms often include memory loss, repetitive speech, difficulty following conversations or finding words, and confusion about time and place, usually more noticeable to family and friends than the individual.
Dr. Alex Osborne, policy manager at the Alzheimer’s Society, praised the advancements but stressed the need for further action. She stated the importance of early and accurate diagnoses for accessing care, support, and treatment. With one-third of people living with dementia in England undiagnosed, Osborne called for new, ambitious targets to ensure everyone receives the diagnosis they need.
Recent research from University College London indicates an increase in dementia incidence in England and Wales since 2008, with projections suggesting up to 1.7 million people could be living with dementia by 2040, a 40% rise from previous estimates. This increase is driven by an ageing population and rising incidence within age groups. Researchers warned that dementia is a pressing policy issue requiring greater investment in social care.
