As reported by the National Health Executive, people living with dementia are facing years-long waits for diagnosis and major gaps in ongoing care, according to new findings from Alzheimer’s Society, which is calling for the condition to be treated with the same urgency as cancer and heart disease
The charity says delays and inconsistent support have become normalised despite dementia being the UK’s leading cause of death. It warns that many people are left waiting years for answers, only to receive little follow-up care once diagnosed.
The report found that people wait an average of 3.5 years from first symptoms to receiving a diagnosis, including around 22 weeks after being referred to specialist services. Almost three quarters of GPs also reported significant delays in access to diagnostic assessments.
Researchers said failures occur throughout the care pathway. Early warning signs are frequently missed, while nearly 250,000 people in England diagnosed with early memory problems are not tracked through any national system to monitor progression to dementia.
Support following diagnosis was also found to be inconsistent. One in five people said they received no help after diagnosis, with some families describing the experience as being “released into the wild”.
The report also highlighted concerns around treatment, finding that only around half of patients prescribed dementia medication remain on it after one year, despite evidence that ongoing treatment can be beneficial.
Alzheimer’s Society is urging the government to introduce national targets for early diagnosis and ensure faster, more equal access to treatment and post-diagnostic support across the country.
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