Tens of thousands of dementia sufferers are diagnosed every month after NHS sends specialist teams into care homes
- Health chiefs have set a target of diagnosing two-thirds of over-65s
Tens of thousands of patients are diagnosed with dementia every month after the NHS sent specialist teams to care homes to assess residents.
Experts identified 475,573 patients with the condition in September – more than 52,000 more compared to the same time last year, with figures now at a three-year high.
Health chiefs have set a target of diagnosing two-thirds of people aged over 65 with dementia in the next 12 months. According to the latest figures, the current rate is 64.3 percent.
Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of NHS England, said she is committed to continuing diagnosis so that more patients can get the help they urgently need.
Trials earlier this year showed that the new drug donanemab can slow the early progression of Alzheimer’s disease by up to 60 percent, a breakthrough hailed as a “turning point” in the fight against the disease.
Health chiefs have set a target to diagnose two-thirds of over-65s with dementia in the next 12 months
NHS England launched a pilot program last December to increase diagnosis rates, with specialist nurses going into care homes to assess older adults who may have missed check-ups during the pandemic.
The program has resulted in the North West and North East of England exceeding the national diagnosis target by 69.1 per cent and 66.9 per cent respectively – the highest levels since before the pandemic
Speaking at the annual NHS Providers Conference, a networking event in Liverpool, Ms Pritchard said yesterday: ‘A diagnosis of dementia can be incredibly intimidating for people and their families, but an early diagnosis can ensure they get the support they need as quickly as possible. they need. .
‘We will continue our efforts and I am determined that next year we will achieve our ambition of diagnosing two-thirds of people.’
NHS guidance encourages anyone concerned about signs of dementia or concerns about a loved one to contact their GP for an assessment.
Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of NHS England, said she is committed to continuing diagnosis so that more patients can get the help they urgently need.
Earlier this year, health chiefs created a national task force to prepare for the possible arrival of new Alzheimer’s treatments if they are approved by regulators.
The NHS Long Term Plan also promised to provide better support for people with dementia through more community programs and personalized care.
Fiona Carragher, from the Alzheimer’s Society, said: ‘Nine in ten people told us they would benefit from getting a diagnosis as it allows them to plan for their future and get vital support.
‘However, dementia is the biggest cause of death in Britain and there is still a lot of work to be done.’