Early diagnosis campaign

Memory clinics are where dementia specialists perform in-depth assessments. They are a key part of an effective diagnosis system. 

There is great variability in memory services. While there are many memory clinics providing an efficient service, other do not. Some people wait just a few weeks for an appointment, whereas others wait more than a year.

What is being done to improve the system? 

The Memory Services National Accreditation Programme (MSNAPs) has been set up to work with services in the UK to assure and improve the quality of me mory services for people with me mory problems and their carers.

At the moment accreditation is voluntary. Less than half of me mory services in the UK are thought to be accredited at present which may in some way be contributing to the low level of diagnosis.

What can I do? 

We are currently mapping the waiting times for appointments at memory clinics, by asking MPs to write to their local PCT for information about memory services.

We need your help to complete the picture. Write to your MP using our template letter. When you get a response, share it with us. 

What will happen next?

When we have a full picture of memory service provision across the country, we will compare this to existing data on diagnosis rates.

If we can show a strong link between memory clinic waiting times and diagnosis rates, this will provide the evidence needed to lobby Westminster for improvements in memory service provision.