A new Dementia Commission report led by former Health Minister, Lord James O’Shaughnessy sets out ways the government can tackle ‘alarming’ rates of undiagnosed dementia. The launch event will take place Monday 4th December at Westminster Abbey with cross party speakers including Ministers and Shadow Ministers.
Download the report: 2023 Dementia Commission Report
Office for Health Improvement and Disparities latest estimates for 2023 reveal a staggering reality: 36% of dementia sufferers in England remain undiagnosed. In a more disconcerting revelation, the worst 25% of Local Authorities (LAs) are witnessing rates as high as 50%. These findings underscore a pressing need for transformative approaches to dementia care and diagnosis with solutions set out by policy institute Curia’s Dementia Commission. Commissioners can be found here.
The alarming statistics, brought together by policy institute Curia supported by population health data specialists VUIT bring attention to the significant gap in dementia diagnoses, prompting a call for urgent action. As the nation grapples with the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the diagnosis deficit has not only persisted but has grown by 8.3% when compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
“This is a critical juncture for our healthcare system. The unrelenting rise in undiagnosed cases demands a paradigm shift in our approach to dementia care,” warns former Health Minister and Co-Chair of the Curia Dementia Commission, Lord James O’Shaughnessy.
The situation calls for a radical change in healthcare delivery, moving towards a new paradigm where Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) play a pivotal role. These accountable entities are now at the forefront, championing innovative models of care, propelled by data-driven insights.
In response to this crisis, through the Dementia Commission healthcare professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders are advocating for the implementation of new pathways for dementia diagnosis and care. These pathways, anchored in the principles of ICSs, aim to address the diagnostic deficit head-on, ensuring a comprehensive and integrated approach to dementia care.
“Beyond the statistics, there lies an opportunity to reshape our healthcare landscape. We envision a future where data is not just a tool but the foundation of effective, accountable, and patient-centric care,” emphasises former Deputy National Medical Director at NHS England and Co-Chair of the NHS Innovation and Life Sciences Commission, Professor Mike Bewick.
The charts and data available in the 2023 Dementia Commission report reveal a pressing need for immediate intervention. The new models of care proposed are not only a response to the current crisis but a forward-looking strategy to build a resilient and responsive healthcare system.
Commissioners have recommended that the journey towards improved dementia diagnosis rates is a collective effort, requiring collaboration between healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the community. As England confronts this challenge, the rallying cry is clear: new pathways, accountable ICSs, and better data are the keystones to unlocking a future where no dementia case goes undiagnosed.
About Curia
Independent, cross-party, and not-for-profit, as a policy institute Curia turns policy into practice as the UK’s first “do tank”. Curia hosts four commissions including NHS Innovation and Life Sciences, Levelling Up, ED&I and Education. Curia provides evidence-based consultancy services, due diligence, and socio-economic and environmental analysis. Commissions share best practice through partner publishing and broadcasting agency Chamber UK.