Four facts about dementia in the UK

1. Dementia is the UK's leading cause of death

Most people would guess that heart disease or cancer is the UK's leading cause of death. In 2022, it was dementia, which accounted for 11.3% of all deaths.

It is also expected that 1 in 3 people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime. Dementia is not simply a condition of ageing; it is a major public health challenge that touches almost every family.

2. The wait for a diagnosis

When someone you love starts to show signs of memory problems, waiting for answers can be very hard. Waits for an NHS memory assessment vary across the country and can run to many months.

With a private assessment, your first appointment is available the same week, and it typically takes 20 working days from booking to diagnosis. A long wait is not only stressful; it is time in which treatment and planning could have started.

3. A private diagnosis does not shut you out of NHS care

A common worry is that a private diagnosis means losing access to the NHS. After a private assessment, the full report, with the diagnosis and a proposed care plan, is sent to the patient's GP with their consent. You can then choose to continue care privately or have it managed by your GP or local memory clinic.

4. Certainty is a powerful first step

Beyond any medication, one of the greatest benefits of a prompt diagnosis is simply knowing. It opens the door to treatment and gives families the clarity to plan, which can help avoid distressing crisis admissions to hospital.

In summary

The figures are sobering, but they carry a clear message: acting promptly and getting accurate information helps families move from fear to being prepared. A timely diagnosis should be a right, not a privilege.