Government report reveals 'postcode lottery' for dementia diagnosis and support

The figures in a ‘State of the Nation’ dementia report released by the Department of Health (DH) show that fewer than half of people with dementia receive a diagnosis, and that there are huge disparities in support for the condition across the country.

Despite a slight increase in the figures for the diagnosis of dementia, which is up by two per cent from last year to 48 per cent, there are still another 416,000 people living with dementia who have not been diagnosed. Many of those who obtain a diagnosis around the country still have to wait longer than the national recommended time of 12 weeks for a formal diagnosis.

Earlier this year, David Cameron outlined his ambition for diagnosis rates to reach 66 per cent by 2015 as part of the Prime Minister’s Challenge on Dementia, which was launched in 2012 with the aim of delivering major improvements in dementia care. However, the DoH report reveals that there continues to be huge variations across the country with rates ranging from 32 per cent in Herefordshire to 75 per cent in Corby, Northamptonshire.

Jeremy Hughes, chief executive at Alzheimer’s Society said: “This report shows that by entering your postcode you enter a lottery. Depending on where you live you may be more or less likely to get a timely diagnosis of dementia and access to the support you need. This is simply unacceptable.

“Wherever you live, you should be entitled to care and support when you have Alzheimer’s disease or any form of dementia. It is a National Health Service. It is time to stop treating people with dementia as second class citizens.”

The report geographically maps the quality of care for people with dementia. An interactive map that can be easily accessed by anyone shows how well local services are supporting those with dementia, and includes figures on how many people get a diagnosis, how often anti-psychotic drugs are prescribed to people with dementia and what the waiting times are for referral to a memory clinic.

The report highlighted that as many as 47 per cent of people with dementia do not feel part of their community and also brought good news of progress in reducing the use of anti-psychotic medication, prolonged use of which has been shown to increase risk of death for people with dementia. One survey quoted in the report reported a 52 per cent reduction between 2006 and 2011 in the prescribing of antipsychotic medication for people with dementia.

Access the report and the interactive map via dementiachallenge.dh.gov.uk/map/