Great britain. parliament. all party parliamentary group on dementia

The facts about the growing number of people with dementia in the UK and the associated costs are firmly established. It is well known that dementia is a significant and growing driver of demand for health and social care. The cost of dementia in the UK in 2010 was estimated to be £20 billion and this is expected to grow to over £27 billion by 2018. It is also clear that health and social care budgets are under extreme pressure and there is an urgent need to improve the cost-effectiveness of services.

A diagnosis of dementia gives a person access to treatment and support services and allows them to plan for their future. Yet it is still common for a person with dementia to live with the condition and never be given a formal diagnosis. The aim of this inquiry was investigate why this is the case, particularly exploring barriers to diagnosis and differences in the rates of diagnosis across the UK.