Nationwide launches dementia nurse clinics in more than 200 branches to help out its customers with health and financial advice

Nationwide is to offer dementia nurse clinics in more than 200 branches to help out its customers.

The building society plans to help over 100,000 people through a new partnership with charity Dementia UK.

Specialists – known as ‘Admiral nurses’ – will provide health and financial advice both in person at branches and over the telephone.

Dementia is a general term for various conditions that cause a decline in brain functioning.

One in 11 people over the age of 65 in the UK have the syndrome and it is expected to cost the UK economy £90billion per year by 2040.

Debbie Crosbie, chief executive officer of the bank, said: ‘Nationwide wants to help people live their best life possible, for as long as possible. By working with Dementia UK to fund more Admiral Nurses and turning our branches into dementia clinics, we’re helping to tackle the country’s leading cause of death.’

And Dr Hilda Hayo, chief Admiral nurse and chief executive at Dementia UK, said the number of people with the condition in the UK is set to exceed one million in the next year.

Community outreach is ‘crucial’ as the charity seeks to ‘ensure no one faces dementia alone,’ she added.

One in 11 people over the age of 65 in the UK have the syndrome and it is expected to cost the UK economy £90billion per year by 2040 (stock image)

Nationwide, which has over 17 million customers, will also offer free appointments to family and carers of those with dementia.

And its clinics will also be available to people who are not customers at Nationwide.

The news comes as concerns are growing about bank branch closures on High Streets across the country.

Since 2015, around 6,000 bank and building society branches have closed, according to Which?

Specialists – known as ‘Admiral nurses’ – will provide health and financial advice both in person at branches and over the telephone (stock image)

This is a problem for many older people who struggle with online banking.

The financial watchdog – the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) – has put forward new rules to ensure communities are able to access cash.

Under the protections, banks and building societies must decide whether local communities lack access to cash services, including branches and ATMs.

If they find ‘significant gaps’, then they must provide additional services.