UK dementia diagnoses rise 40% in five years

Some parts of the UK have seen the number of people diagnosed with dementia more than double in five years, analysis of NHS data shows.

A drive to increase diagnosis rates and an ageing population were behind the increase, experts said.
Charities said dementia care provision must improve, calling it a “ridiculous lottery”, and “very hit or miss”.

NHS England said it was a priority to diagnose dementia earlier so people could receive correct treatment

Across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the number of people on the register has risen by 40% to around 508,000. Scottish health officials estimate there are a further 90,000 people living with dementia north of the border.