Alzheimer’s Disease: Diagnosis and Access to Experimental Drugs

Baroness Browning Excerpts

Wednesday 3rd June 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Browning (Con)]

My Lords, does the Minister accept that, prior to a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s, many people are diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment and sometimes there is a very long gap between that diagnosis and ultimately a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s? Will she look at the way in which the new plan is drafted to ensure that once a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment has been given, there is a much quicker follow-up? Sometimes it is years later, and by then it is too late. I should declare that I am an ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Society.

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

I thank the noble Baroness. I will just reflect on exactly what she has said as it is so important. We know that even without a definite diagnosis, so many preventive interventions could be made. If the early signs are there, they should be flagged up, and individuals can then take their own preventive measures and particularly, I hope, be supported by their friends and family to delay the onset, but also to make sure if signs start to get worse, they can be rapidly progressed along the system.