Isle of Wight East MP Joe Robertson is leading a cross-party call backed by more than 60 MPs for a binding 18-week dementia diagnosis target to be introduced by the Government.
Mr Robertson has written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham calling for an 18-week referral-to-diagnosis target to be included in the forthcoming Modern Service Framework for Dementia and Frailty (MSF).
The campaign, supported by Alzheimer’s Society, argues that people living with dementia should have greater certainty over how long they will wait for a diagnosis.
According to information provided as part of the campaign, more than a 3rd of people living with dementia in England do not have a formal diagnosis, and those who are diagnosed are said to wait an average of 3-and-a-half years between first experiencing symptoms and receiving a diagnosis.
Referral-to-diagnosis waiting times are also said to have increased by almost 70% since 2019, rising from 13 weeks to 22 weeks.
Mr Robertson has argued that the issue has particular relevance to the Isle of Wight, given the Island’s older population and pressures on health and social care.
The letter comes as the Prime Minister has pledged to make reform of adult social care a major commitment of his premiership.
Unlike patients on referral-to-treatment pathways, where a national 18-week standard exists, the campaign says there is currently no equivalent diagnosis target for dementia.
The MPs’ letter to the Prime Minister states:
“Dementia is one of the greatest challenges facing society. It is the UK’s leading cause of death, with around 1 million people currently living with dementia.
“The impact on families and public services is immense and continues to grow, with the prevalence expected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040. The crisis in social care continues to disproportionately affect those living with the disease.
“We are therefore calling on the Government to deliver earlier and more accurate diagnosis, supported by modern diagnostic tools and clear clinical pathways.
“Central to this must be a binding 18-week referral-to-diagnosis target (including care plan initiation and treatment where appropriate), bringing dementia in line with wider NHS standards.
“This should be committed to in the MSF and carried through into the NHS planning guidance for 2027/28 onwards.”
The intervention follows Mr Robertson’s questioning of former Health Secretary James Murray during a Health and Social Care Select Committee session in July.
During the session, the Isle of Wight East MP challenged the Government over its decision not to include a binding 18-week dementia diagnosis target in the forthcoming framework.
Joe Robertson MP, Member of Parliament for Isle of Wight East, has said:
“There has been lots of welcome talk from the Prime Minister about fixing social care, but now we need action. The Modern Service Framework for Dementia and Frailty will be the first test.
“Diagnosis is the gateway to care, yet too many people are waiting far too long to get one. An 18-week diagnosis target is a practical commitment the Prime Minister can make now to show he is serious about improving social care.”
