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11 Feb
Question
Dementia Diagnosis Rates

The recent question session in the House of Commons focused on the critical issue of dementia diagnosis rates in the UK. This debate saw pointed questions raised about the ongoing challenges in meeting national diagnosis targets and the transparency of the Government's commitments.

Main Analysis:

  1. Overview of Current Challenges:
    • The Conservative Government has failed to meet the dementia diagnosis targets over the last five years. There is a pressing need for reforms and investment in this area.
    • Prevalence of dementia is increasing, with projections indicating a rise from nearly 1 million to 1.4 million by the end of the 2030s.
Nearly 1 million people live with dementia in the UK, projected to increase to 1.4 million by 2030.

Demonstrates the severity and urgency of the issue discussed.

  1. Government Response:
    • The Government remains committed to ensuring that two-thirds of those living with dementia receive a diagnosis. Continuous investment in research aims to improve diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.
    • A notable point of contention is the apparent exclusion of dementia diagnosis targets from NHS England's recently published priorities.
The Government aimed for a two-thirds diagnosis rate but has not met this target for five years.

Measures the effectiveness of Government policies regarding early diagnosis.

  1. Issues Raised:
    • The need for increased training among social care workers for effective dementia care and early diagnosis. Only 29% of social care workers currently receive any dementia-related training.
    • The Government has initiated the adult social care learning and development support scheme targeting worker training, but its efficacy remains under observation.

Outcome:

  • Commitment reiterated to current diagnosis targets though the debate highlighted areas where clarity and progress remain limited, particularly regarding the NHS's priority-setting and systematic training of care providers. The discussion underscores the need for strategic focus to ensure Government pledges translate into measurable outcomes.
Only 29% of social care workers have any form of dementia training.

Highlights a critical gap in workforce preparedness for supporting dementia patients.

Outcome

The debate underscored the ongoing challenges in dementia diagnosis and care in the UK. While the Government reaffirmed its commitment to diagnosis targets, the discussion revealed gaps in policy execution, particularly concerning training for social care workers and clarity in NHS priorities.

Key Contributions

Joe RobertsonMP
Conservative

Raised a query about the Government's steps towards meeting dementia diagnosis rate targets. Emphasized the significant rise in dementia cases projected and questioned the exclusion of diagnosis targets in NHS priorities.

Wes StreetingSecretary of State for Health

Acknowledged the failure to meet previous targets but reiterated the commitment to diagnosing two-thirds of dementia cases. Criticized past Government’s reliance on unfeasible NHS targets and emphasized new policies focusing on practical healthcare solutions.

Mr Jonathan BrashMP
Labour

Shared a personal account of his father’s Alzheimer’s experience, stressing the importance of early diagnosis. Highlighted the low percentage of trained social care workers and urged for increased training across social sectors.

Original Transcript
Joe Robertson
Isle of Wight East
Con
Question
UIN: 902688

12. What steps his Department is taking to help reach the national dementia diagnosis rate target.

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
Wes Streeting
12:12

The dementia diagnosis rate target was not met for the last five years of the Conservative Government, and it declined over the course of the last Parliament. This Government are committed to ensuring that at least two thirds of people living with dementia receive a diagnosis.

The Government are investing in dementia research across all areas, from causes, diagnosis and prevention to treatment, care and support, to help people live with this condition.

Joe Robertson
12:13

Nearly 1 million people are living with dementia—it is the biggest cause of death in the country today—and by the end of the 2030s that figure is set to rise to 1.4 million.

Early diagnosis is one of the best things we can do to support people living with dementia, so will the Secretary of State explain why the dementia diagnosis target no longer features in NHS England’s priorities, as published two weeks ago?

Will he commit to reinstating both dementia and the commitment to a diagnosis target in NHS England’s priority guidelines?

Wes Streeting
12:13

I just restated the Government’s commitment to ensuring that at least two thirds of people living with dementia receive a diagnosis. Our investment and reform agenda will speed up diagnostics across the board.

Under the last Government, NHS planning guidance was a wish list of fantasy targets, most of which were never met. As the NHS got worse and worse, they piled on more targets to make themselves look busy.

This Government are ending the micromanagement, turning our NHS around and clearing up their mess.

Mr Jonathan Brash
Hartlepool
Lab

My dad was a GP in Hartlepool for over 30 years—the Secretary of State was kind enough to meet him the last time he was in Hartlepool—and he has Alzheimer’s. Every day, I think about why we did not spot the signs early enough to get the treatment that he needed at an earlier stage.

The Alzheimer’s Society estimates that only 29% of social care workers have any form of dementia training. Does the Secretary of State agree that it is critical that we up that number and ensure that all social care workers have dementia training, to ensure early diagnosis?

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All content derived from official parliamentary records