Public backs urgent action on dementia as we outline five priorities for new PM

Calling on Andy Burnham to make dementia a national priority

The survey of more than 1,000 adults across England highlights a clear gap between public expectation and current delivery, with strong support for improvements to diagnosis, treatment and care.

• 81% of people want dementia to be made a national healthcare priority.
• Just 15% believe the government is doing enough to prepare for the growing number of people affected by dementia.
• 52% say they would be more likely to vote for a party that commits to increased dementia funding.

Five urgent commitments

• Put dementia at the heart of government policy, recognising it as the UK’s greatest health and care challenge.
   
• Guarantee a maximum 18-week wait from referral to diagnosis, ensuring people can access an early and accurate diagnosis. This call is backed by strong public support, with 87% of people saying access to an early and accurate diagnosis must improve.
   
• Use the upcoming Modern Service Framework for Dementia and Frailty as an opportunity to set out a national plan to prepare for new treatments, support people post diagnosis and, ultimately, reduce deaths from dementia, with clear targets and accountability across health and care services.
   
• Appoint a dedicated Dementia Tsar, reporting directly to ministers and driving innovation, cross-government action and implementation of reforms. This mirrors recommendations made by Baroness Casey in her commission on Adult Social Care.
   
• Meet with the leaders of the UK’s three leading dementia charities within the first 60 days, to establish a partnership focussed on transforming diagnosis, treatment, care and support for people affected by dementia.

Andy Burnham's dad’s diagnosis with Alzheimer’s disease

On the eve of his confirmation as the UK’s next Prime Minister, Andy Burnham spoke of his dad’s diagnosis with Alzheimer’s disease and his commitment to ‘expending quite a lot of political capital’ on social care. This is timely, as public confidence in social care is low, with just 16% of respondents saying it meets people’s needs.

With over half of voters (52%) saying they would be more likely to support a party that commits to dementia funding, the findings point to a clear political and practical opportunity. Alzheimer’s Society says the first 100 days of the Prime Minister’s leadership is a critical moment to reset ambition and make dementia a national priority.

People expect action on dementia

Michelle Dyson CB, Chief Executive Officer at Alzheimer’s Society, said: 

Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer, but time and time again successive governments have failed to make it the priority it needs to be.

'This polling sends a very clear message to our new Prime Minister. People expect action on dementia and need a leader who will deliver it.

Hope is on the horizon, with new treatments and blood tests for diagnosis already a reality. But without decisive action, too many risk missing out.

This is a turning point.'

We know that our new Prime Minister understands the reality of living with dementia and has made early commitments to making social care a priority. He must seize this moment and set out a bold and ambitious plan that will leave a lasting legacy for everyone affected by dementia.

An opportunity for change

Andrea Yates, from Makerfield, said: 

'I'm pleased to have a Prime Minister who is local to us and who knows what it's like to have a dad living with dementia. My dad Michael, who ran a joinery business in Makerfield for 45 years, was diagnosed with dementia in 2023.

The new Prime Minister often talks about hope, and we're really hopeful that Andy Burnham will take this opportunity to change things for people affected by dementia. Diagnosis, support and care need to get better, so that proud, intelligent people like my dad, people who paid into this country for years and are now living with this awful disease, get properly cared for and looked after.'

It's important that we have someone in charge who cares. We're hopeful he'll make a change, not just for my dad, but for the million other people in our position.

Almost 60,000 people have already backed Alzheimer’s Society’s call for action through an open letter urging the government to deliver a plan that matches the scale of the challenge for the UK’s biggest killer.