Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies is calling on the Welsh Government and NHS Wales to ensure that comprehensive dementia diagnosis data is collected and published at a local and national level.
There are estimated to be around 50,000 people living with dementia in Wales. However, unlike in the rest of the UK, NHS Wales does not currently collect or report the number of people with a formal diagnosis of dementia in a consistent way.
James has therefore joined Alzheimer’s Society to call on the Welsh Government and NHS Wales to ensure that comprehensive dementia diagnosis data is collected and published, so that Wales’ performance can be compared to other parts of the UK.
Last week, as part of Dementia Action Week (15-21 May), he attended the Parliamentary reception hosted by the charity, where the discrepancy between Wales and the rest of the UK was discussed. James is now supporting their 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 worried about their own or a loved one’s memory, to seek support in getting a diagnosis using a ‘symptoms checklist’. This is available on Alzheimer’s Society’s online hub at www.alzheimers.org.uk/memoryloss.
James, who is a Dementia Research Champion, said:
“I was very pleased to attend Alzheimer's Society’s Parliamentary reception where I got to hear from people living with dementia and working in the field.
“There are around 50,000 people in Wales living with dementia, but we have no way of knowing what percentage are actually diagnosed with the condition.
“Everyone living with dementia deserves an accurate, timely, and high-quality dementia diagnosis so they can access vital care and support, and plan for their future.
“High-quality, accessible data will benefit people with dementia and allow NHS Wales to better plan its dementia services to ensure that everyone has access to a timely and accurate diagnosis, and target support to under-performing diagnostic centres.”
James White, Head of National Influencing at Alzheimer’s Society, said:
“We thank Dr James Davies MP for meeting with us, and showing his support this Dementia Action Week.
“We believe it’s better to know – 9 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.
“In Wales, we don’t even know the scale of the diagnosis challenge, so we need high-quality local and national data as soon as possible.”
For support and information about dementia visit alzheimers.org.uk/memoryloss or call Alzheimer’s Society on 0333 150 3456.[0330 094 7400 Welsh-speaking number]
For callers who do not have English as their language of choice, Alzheimer’s Society can arrange a simultaneous language translation service.
