£5m funding for dementia diagnosis

NHS England is making £5 million available in funding as part of a national drive to identify people with dementia. 

It forms part of the organisation's ambitious plans to diagnose two-thirds of those with dementia by April 2015. By 2051, it is estimated there will be two million people living with the condition. 

The funding move has been welcomed by the Alzheimer's Society, with its chief executive Jeremy Stevens labelling it as a "much-needed step" in improving diagnosis rates.

"Only with a diagnosis can people access vital information and support which helps them to make sense of what is happening and plan for the future," he added.

At the moment, the UK has a 50 per cent detection rate and so there needs to be a concerted effort to address this situation so these people can get access to the help they require. To this end, the Alzheimer's Society is working with GPs and clinical commissioning groups to reach out to anyone who is concerned about memory loss. 

NHS England has also produced a toolkit to help GPs with the issue of post-diagnostic support. The majority of the information is aimed at the person with the diagnosis or their carer and seeks to provide both emotional and practical support.

Research by the Care Quality Commission has underlined how difficult finding the right care facility is for older adults, as eight out of ten people entrusted with the decision described it as one of the most stressful moments in their lives.

"We know that for families and carers of people with dementia it is particularly challenging," said George McNamara, head of policy and public affairs at the Alzheimer's Society. "No one should feel that they or their loved ones should have to settle for poor quality care."

Read more about Barchester's dementia care homes.