Alzheimer’s Disease: Diagnosis and Access to Experimental Drugs

Baroness Pitkeathley Excerpts

Wednesday 3rd June 2026 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Baroness Pitkeathley]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to speed up diagnoses of Alzheimer’s disease and enable potential sufferers and their families to have earlier access to experimental drugs.

[Baroness in Waiting/Government Whip (Baroness Blake of Leeds) (Lab)]

My Lords, every person living with dementia, alongside their friends, families and carers, has their own unique and important story. The modern service framework for frailty and dementia will consider what interventions should be supported to improve dementia care and diagnosis waiting times, which we know are too long in many areas. We are supporting earlier access to promising treatments through the MHRA-NICE aligned pathway and initiatives such as the early access to medicines scheme.

[Baroness Pitkeathley (Lab)]

I thank my noble friend for that reply. I am glad to know that she understands the importance of early diagnosis because it is the only way to access drugs that will delay, although not of course cure, this disease. But families are sometimes reluctant to get a diagnosis because they do not want to recognise the reality of their relative’s condition. Could the Government consider giving the issue more publicity, perhaps even a public information campaign, to encourage families to seek help before the condition has advanced so far that no drugs can be of help?

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

I thank my noble friend for her tireless work and dedication to this area. I want to reassure her that in developing the MSF we will consider what interventions should be supported to improve diagnosis, and a public information campaign will be in the mix. We have published the D100 assessment tool to support systems to improve dementia diagnosis, care and support, and it incorporates the dementia care pathway, including diagnosing well. During their NHS health checks, those aged over 65 should be made aware of the signs and symptoms of dementia and guides to memory clinics.