Five-month wait to find out whether you have dementia, data shows - with some patients waiting almost 12 months

By XANTHA LEATHAM, EXECUTIVE SCIENCE EDITOR

Published: | Updated:

Suspected dementia sufferers are waiting five months on average to be given an NHS diagnosis, data shows.

A national audit carried out by the Royal College of Psychiatrists reveals the average wait from referral reached 22 weeks last year, with some patients waiting almost 12 months.

In 2019 the average wait time stood at around 13 weeks. Experts said the figures mean thousands are being left without care, support or treatment.

The data also showed that waiting times in deprived areas can be ‘significantly longer', and just 2.1 per cent of people with suspected dementia undergo specialist investigations.

Dr Mohan Bhat, chairman of the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Old Age Faculty, said: ‘It is concerning that waiting times for dementia diagnoses are increasing, with many people facing a postcode lottery when trying to access support.

Suspected dementia sufferers are waiting an average of five months to be diagnosed, with some waiting almost a year, new data has shown (file photo)

Suspected dementia sufferers are waiting an average of five months to be diagnosed, with some waiting almost a year, new data has shown (file photo)

Just 2.1 per cent of people with suspected dementia undergo specialist investigations, the data showed (file photo)

Just 2.1 per cent of people with suspected dementia undergo specialist investigations, the data showed (file photo)

‘People who receive timely support are better able to manage the progression of their condition, while doing so alone can be incredibly challenging and lead to significant memory loss.’

He added that the government must also ensure infrastructure is in place to help deliver early diagnoses, saying: ‘This would help prepare services for the introduction of new disease-modifying treatments that may soon be approved for use.

‘These proposed treatments note that they require an early diagnosis to be effective.’

So far, trials have found that the drugs lecanemab and donanemab slow down the early stages of Alzheimer’s – but they have yet to be approved in the UK.

Jennifer Keen, head of policy at Alzheimer’s Society, said: ‘An early, accurate dementia diagnosis is the key vital to unlocking care, support, and where appropriate, symptomatic treatment – and long waits for diagnosis leave people without this help.’

An NHS England spokesman said: ‘This audit shows encouraging improvements in the proportion of patients receiving an assessment. 

'More needs to be done to ensure best practice, which is why every integrated care board has been asked to review and improve dementia diagnosis waiting times.’

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