Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what long-term support they are providing for (1) people with, and (2) carers of people with, dementia; and what steps they are taking to ensure those with dementia are diagnosed quickly.

In 2021/22, the Government allocated £17 million to NHS England and NHS Improvement to address dementia waiting lists and increase the number of diagnoses. This funding was made available to clinical commissioning groups in June 2021.

Following a dementia diagnosis, patients should receive information on local services and access to relevant advice and support. We will continue to support carers to provide care as they would wish and to do so in a way that supports their own health and wellbeing, access to education, employment and life choices. Local authorities are required to undertake a Carer’s Assessment for any carer who appears to have a need for support.

Later this year, we will set out plans for dementia in England. The new strategy will include a focus on improving the experience of being diagnosed and living with dementia, both for people with dementia and their carers.