Northern Ireland needs a new dementia strategy

We're calling on the Northern Ireland Assembly to urgently publish and deliver a bold and ambitious new dementia strategy, one that provides the ambition and accountability needed to drive real change for everyone living with dementia in Northern Ireland. 

The impact of dementia in Northern Ireland

The largest increase in prevalence of dementia is expected to occur in Northern Ireland with an estimated rise from 24,700 people in 2024 to 37,409 by 2040 (up 51%).

Evidence shows that dementia already costs Northern Ireland £1 billion per year, increasing to £2 billion by 2040 without strategic intervention.

Dementia is driving significant avoidable pressure across the health and social care system. In Northern Ireland, this includes an additional 15,000 A&E visits annually from undiagnosed patients and, across the UK, one in six hospital patients are living with dementia.

We’ve seen an increase in delayed hospital discharges for people living with dementia due to lack of appropriate care in the community.

We’re seeing rapid developments in how dementia can be diagnosed, treated and managed but bold action is needed to keep pace with change and ensure people can benefit from new innovations.  

A new dementia strategy for Northern Ireland

The solution is the creation of a Northern Ireland dementia strategy.  

We need a new approach to dementia. As a condition which significantly crosscuts health and social care, we must take a whole system approach to tackling it. 

Our Roadmap for Change sets out practical and achievable short, medium and long-term solutions needed to ensure dementia is made a priority. We want this strategy to sit alongside the Regional Dementia Care Pathway - addressing the challenges we have outlined and provide ambition and accountability that drives forward progress.   

We'll continue to work with the Minister for Health and the Northern Ireland Assembly to urge them to act now and commit to a Roadmap for Change that ensures everyone affected by dementia can access the timely diagnosis, high-quality care and support they need.