More than 325,000 people are living with dementia in England – but have not been diagnosed
- in 2020 to 2021 430,000 had a formal dementia diagnosis but four in ten did not
- The Midlands had the highest undiagnosed rates of dementia, while London and the North West had the lowest rates of undiagosed dementia during Covid
- Stoke-on-Trent 83 per cent are diagnosed but only 48 per cent in Stafford
- 676,000 people in England and 850,000 across the UK have dementia
- Roche says £3billion could be saved with digital diagnosis tools in rural areas
More than 325,000 people in England are living with dementia but have not been diagnosed, according to a study.
Diagnosis rates have fallen below the Government’s target of two-thirds since the pandemic began.
The report found there is a postcode lottery in terms of who is diagnosed, with proportions ranging from 83 per cent to less than 50 per cent.
NHS England set an ambition in 2013 for two-thirds of people with dementia in England to have a diagnosis and follow-up support.
But the rate fell from 68 per cent in February 2020 to 62 per cent in March, NHS Digital said.
Consultancy Future Health said the data suggests more than 325,000 people in England may have undiagnosed dementia.
The report said that from 2020 to 2021, 430,000 people had a formal diagnosis but around four in ten of those with dementia did not.
It found the Midlands has the highest proportion of undiagnosed dementia, while London and the North West have the lowest.
But the analysis also uncovered regional variations. In Stoke-on-Trent, the rate of diagnosis is 83 per cent, compared with 48 per cent in nearby Stafford.
Around 676,000 people in England and 850,000 across the UK are estimated to have dementia.
The NHS Digital figures compare the number of people thought to have dementia with the number of people diagnosed with it.
Symptoms of dementia can be memory loss, difficulty concentrating and mood changes
The report, funded by a grant from pharmaceutical giant Roche, argues £3billion could be saved with better diagnosis rates.
It suggests using new digital tools to monitor people at risk and sending diagnosis equipment to areas most in need of it.
Richard Sloggett, founder of Future Health and a former special adviser to Matt Hancock when he was health secretary, said: ‘The pandemic has set back the progress made on dementia diagnosis rates and urgent action is now needed to support recovery.
The forthcoming dementia strategy must tackle regional disparities, particularly in how patient access to a diagnosis in rural areas can be improved.
‘New targets, investment in diagnostics and technology along with a public health campaign can all help deliver a dementia diagnostic recovery that ensures patients get access to the treatment, care and support they deserve.’
Fiona Carragher, director of research and influencing at the Alzheimer’s Society, said the study was evidence of ‘the need to address regional and health disparities to improve the experience of diagnosis in a fair way’.
Roche – a pharmaceutical company says that using new digital tools to monitor people at risk and sending diagnosis equipment to areas most in need of it would save the NHS £3billion
She added: ‘As we move beyond the Covid-19 pandemic, we must now urgently work together to improve diagnosis, ongoing care and outcomes for people living with dementia.’
Tory MP Laurence Robertson, a vice-chairman of the all-party parliamentary group on dementia, said: ‘The latest figures show how important the Government’s new dementia strategy is.
‘As with most illnesses, the earlier dementia is diagnosed the better for a patient’s quality of life and to make sure they get the right treatment they need.’
WHAT IS DEMENTIA? THE KILLER DISEASE THAT ROBS SUFFERERS OF THEIR MEMORIES
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of neurological disorders
A GLOBAL CONCERN
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders (those affecting the brain) which impact memory, thinking and behaviour.
There are many different types of dementia, of which Alzheimer’s disease is the most common.
Some people may have a combination of types of dementia.
Regardless of which type is diagnosed, each person will experience their dementia in their own unique way.
Dementia is a global concern but it is most often seen in wealthier countries, where people are likely to live into very old age.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED?
The Alzheimer’s Society reports there are more than 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK today, of which more than 500,000 have Alzheimer’s.
It is estimated that the number of people living with dementia in the UK by 2025 will rise to over 1 million.
In the US, it’s estimated there are 5.5 million Alzheimer’s sufferers. A similar percentage rise is expected in the coming years.
As a person’s age increases, so does the risk of them developing dementia.
Rates of diagnosis are improving but many people with dementia are thought to still be undiagnosed.
IS THERE A CURE?
Currently there is no cure for dementia.
But new drugs can slow down its progression and the earlier it is spotted the more effective treatments are.
Source: Alzheimer’s Society
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