During the Covid-19 pandemic, dementia diagnosis rates dropped from 67.6% (January 2020) to 62.5% (December 2022). Since then, diagnosis rates have stagnated, leaving many without access to the care and support a diagnosis can bring. Diagnosis rates also vary significantly across England, with a 70.6% diagnosis rate in South Yorkshire and South West London’s Integrated Care Systems (ICS) compared to 52.4% in Herefordshire and Worcestershire ICS.
From 10-24 February, the APPG invites evidence submissions from people living with dementia (or carers with significant involvement in helping someone access a diagnosis) via a survey on diagnosis. The APPG will also accept submissions from academics, professionals working in the NHS, social care, public health, for an NHS local authority or for a VCSE via their call for written evidence.
Previous research by Alzheimer’s Society has shown that rurality and deprivation are key factors in this diagnostic variation. Through its new inquiry, the APPG will build on this evidence by gaining a better understanding of contributing factors and potential solutions to variation in diagnosis rates, with a view to providing recommendations to central and local Government based on intelligence gathered.
Please share the survey and call for written evidence with your networks – any promotion is very much appreciated and all details can be found on the APPG’s website.
