Cuts to patient waiting lists with Community Diagnostic Centres

More than a third of people living with dementia in the UK have not received a diagnosis, without which, they’re unable to access the support, care and treatment they need. Often this leads to patients ending up in hospital when this could have been avoided.

The importance of an accurate dementia diagnosis

To help increase access to an early and accurate dementia diagnosis, we need to ensure that the scanning capacity in Community Diagnostic Centres and other healthcare settings is adequately utilised to provide more people with the diagnosis they deserve.

Managing and living with dementia

Diagnosing more people ensures that they can better manage their condition and live independently for longer, ultimately enabling the NHS to go further and faster on reducing waiting lists. 

Kieran Winterburn, Alzheimer’s Society’s Head of National Influencing, said:

Alzheimer’s Society welcomes the UK Government’s focus on cutting patient waiting times and increasing access to diagnosis. This is already achieving clear results.

We want to work with the Government to ensure that the same attention is being paid to dementia, the UK’s biggest killer. Getting this right will help reduce pressure on the health system.