24/05/2026
Diagnosis and treatment for dementia is falling far behind other major conditions — and it shouldn’t be.
For conditions like cancer and heart disease, there are national targets, clear pathways and expectations around diagnosis, treatment and follow‑up.
For dementia, that kind of joined‑up system simply isn’t in place — and people are paying the price.
People with dementia face a frustrating experience at every stage: symptoms are missed, diagnosis often takes years, and too many are left without the support and treatment they need.
On average, people wait 3.5 years from first symptoms to a diagnosis, missing vital opportunities for early help
Nearly 250,000 people in England are diagnosed with early memory problems, yet there’s no national system in place to monitor progression to dementia
After diagnosis, 20% of people receive no support at all, with families describing the experience as being “released into the wild”
Access to treatment is inconsistent, and where you live or who you are can still determine the care you receive
This Dementia Action Week, we're calling for urgent government action to treat dementia on a par with other conditions — including clear national targets for early diagnosis and guaranteed access to treatment and post‑diagnosis support, without delay.
