Dementia diagnosis rate target removed from NHS 2025/26 Priorities and Operational Planning Guidance
The NHS 2025/26 Priorities and Operational Planning Guidance has been published and shows that the dementia diagnosis rate target has been removed.
The target had said that 66.7% of people living with dementia in England should have a diagnosis. Dementia is now not mentioned in the guidance at all.
Fiona Carragher, Chief Policy and Research Officer, Alzheimer’s Society says:
“The inclusion of the 66.7% national dementia diagnosis target in the 2024/25 guidance at least showed NHS England was committed to improving diagnosis and providing vital local accountability. The same now cannot be said for the year to come. This is a backwards step which will alarm all those affected by dementia.”
You can read the NHS 2025/26 Priorities and Operational Planning Guidance here: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/2025-26-priorities-and-operational-planning-guidance/