Dementia diagnosis rates have “stagnated” since the pandemic, Alzheimer’s Society has said, calling on people to contribute to a new parliamentary inquiry that seeks to find out what the barriers are to a diagnosis.
The inquiry, by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Dementia, will consider how diagnosis rates slumped to 62.5% in December, compared to 67.6% immediately before the pandemic, as well as reasons for marked regional variations from more than 70% in places such as North Yorkshire and south-west London to little over 50% in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
The APPG is inviting people with dementia and carers to complete a survey (closes 24 February) and is also taking written evidence from academics and professionals.
“Right now, too many people are waiting too long to get an accurate dementia diagnosis,” said APPG chair Debbie Abrahams MP. “Since the Covid-19 pandemic, dementia diagnosis rates have fallen significantly and failed to rise back up. More than 30,000 additional people are waiting for a diagnosis now compared to pre-pandemic levels, with some left to cope alone.”
More information at www.alzheimers.org.uk
Complete the survey here: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/5ZQH1Z/