High performance in dementia diagnosis

As David Cameron presses for more action on dementia, Scotland and Northern Ireland are leading the UK in identifying the condition.

Dementia has been a high priority for David Cameron since March 2012, when he challenged the UK to lead the fight against the condition.

The most recent diagnosis rates published last year vary widely around the UK, with major consequences for patients and their families. An early diagnosis provides more certainty and allows more care and treatment to take place over the course of the patient’s later years.

Scotland was in the lead (64 per cent) with Northern Ireland close behind (63.2 per cent). England’s average was 48 per cent although this covers a wide variation from 32.8 per cent in Herefordshire to 75 per cent in Corby. Wales is the lowest performer on 38.8 per cent.

While health is a devolved matter, Cameron has emphasised that more action is needed in all parts of the UK, including reaching a diagnosis rate of 66 per cent. He describes dementia as “the quiet crisis … one that steals lives and tears at the hearts of families”.

His three priorities are:

• making sure that health and social care systems are properly geared up to deal with the crisis;

• stepping up research into cures and treatments (by doubling funding by 2015); and

• getting communities, charities and businesses involved.

One in three people aged over 65 develop dementia. Aside from the personal consequences for the 800,000 people living with the condition, the national cost of care and treatment is £23 billion – higher than that for cancer, heart disease or stroke.

An estimated 19,400 people in Northern Ireland have the disease, of whom 12,300 have been diagnosed. The overall number is expected to rise to 24,000 over the next seven years.

Diagnosis rates account for the number of people registered with GPs who are living with dementia. Estimates of dementia’s prevalence come from a 2007 evidence-based report from the Alzheimer’s Society, which is updated annually in line with population estimates. Comparisons with the Republic of Ireland are more difficult as it uses a different methodology (EuroCoDe). The charity is pleased with Northern Ireland’s success but disappointed that the rate had only increased by 0.2 per cent from 2012. It has asked the Health and Social Care Board to ensure that people showing possible symptoms of dementia are swiftly referred from GP practices to memory services (for assessment and diagnosis) and then on to the relevant support services.

As part of the G8 presidency, the first global summit on dementia took place in London last December. In June, the Medical Research Council commenced the world’s largest study into dementia, involving two million people. Alzheimer’s Research UK has also announced a £100 million programme to test new treatments over the next five years.

“We are all agreed on the significance of the challenge posed by our progressively ageing population,” Health Minister Edwin Poots said when launching the regional dementia strategy in 2011. “Dementia is of increasing importance to government, to our communities, to our families and to the individuals who have dementia.”

He noted that Northern Ireland also has the fastest growing elderly population in the UK, which could increase the number of people with dementia to 60,000 by 2050.

People can reduce the risk of developing the disease by eating healthily and taking exercise (thus reducing cholesterol levels), managing their blood pressure, stopping smoking and staying mentally active through reading and learning.

Diagnosis rates

Source: Alzheimer’s Society