Dementia diagnosis rate across Ellesmere Port and Neston

A local MP has been thanked for spending time to check up on the dementia diagnosis rate across his constituency.

Justin Madders, MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston, is a regular visitor to events in Parliament organised by the Alzheimer’s Society. The occasions are aimed at ensuring everyone living with dementia can receive a timely, accurate and high-quality diagnosis.  

Dementia diagnosis rates vary considerably across the country, from just 42 per cent in South Hams in Devon to 82.9 per cent in Stoke-on-Trent. The national ambition for dementia diagnosis is that two-thirds of people with dementia should have a formal diagnosis, so at 63.5 per cent the towns of Ellesmere Port and Neston have an amber warning diagnosis rating on Alzheimer’s Society’s traffic lights system. 

Former Shadow health minister Mr Madders lent his support to the charity’s Dementia Action Week campaign on the importance of dementia diagnosis. The tagline ‘It’s not called getting old, it’s called getting ill’ encourages people who are worried about their own or a loved one’s memory to seek support in getting a diagnosis using the checklist available.

Mr Madders said: “There are 8,995 people in Ellesmere Port and Neston living with dementia, but just 6,024 of them has a diagnosis. Everyone living with dementia deserves a diagnosis so they can access vital care and support and plan for their future.” 

James White, head of National Influencing at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “The dementia diagnosis rate fell below the national ambition during the pandemic and it has remained stagnant at around 62 per cent ever since.

“More than 30,000 people have missed out on a diagnosis – and therefore access to help and support – during this period.  

“We believe it’s better to know. Nine in 10 people told us they benefitted from getting a diagnosis as it meant they could access treatment and advice and plan for the future.  

“Government needs to take urgent action to level up the diagnosis rate across the country and ensure people with dementia are not slipping through the net.”  

For support and information about dementia visit alzheimers.org.uk/memoryloss or call Alzheimer’s Society on:

0333 150 3456

Pictured - James White, Head of National Influencing, Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Society chief executive Kate Lee and Justin Madders MP.