Number of patients diagnosed with dementia increases by 62 per cent

Provisional figures from the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) show 344,000 patients had a recorded diagnosis of dementia in 2013/14.

This is a rise from 319,000 in 2012/13 and from 213,000 in 2006/07, when the data was first collected.

These statistics are based on the numbers of patients registered with GP practices in England who have a recorded diagnosis of dementia and this is the first time the HSCIC has published a standalone report on this subject.

HSCIC chair Kingsley Manning said: “We are all aware of the challenges facing our ageing population and these figures will be vital for those planning and monitoring the effectiveness of dementia treatments and services.”

The report shows the increase in recorded diagnosis has been steady since this data was first collected. The rise may be due to the ageing population, an increase in the number of people being diagnosed, improved recording of diagnoses or a combination of factors.

The report also shows that the percentage of registered patients with a recorded diagnosis of dementia (prevalence rate) has increased in all four NHS regions of England between 2012/13 and 2013/14.

There is regional variation in the level of recorded diagnosis, with the North and South having the highest levels at 0.68 and 0.67 per cent, the Midlands and East of England at 0.62 per cent and London, with its different age profile notably lower at 0.39 per cent.

The provisional 2013/14 data has been produced to assist the monitoring of progress towards objectives, including the Department of Health’s ambition of increasing the proportion of people with dementia who have a recorded diagnosis so that they can receive the appropriate care and support.

View the full report at: http://www.hscic.gov.uk/pubs/qofdemprev1314