England’s health authorities have recently removed official targets for dementia diagnosis, a move that has drawn criticism from experts who warn it risks undermining care for patients with the condition. The decision marks a shift away from nationally mandated benchmarks aimed at ensuring timely identification and treatment of dementia.

Previously, targets set by NHS England helped drive diagnosis rates upward, with more patients being identified and referred to specialist memory services. However, dementia campaigners and clinicians now express concern that scrapping these targets reduces incentives for healthcare providers to prioritize dementia diagnosis, potentially prolonging waiting times and contributing to misdiagnoses.

According to the Alzheimer’s Society, approximately 25% of people suspected of having dementia wait two years or longer before receiving a diagnosis. The diagnostic process typically starts with a visit to a general practitioner by patients or their relatives who notice symptoms such as memory loss, difficulty performing routine tasks, sudden confusion, or mood changes like anxiety and depression. Once initial assessments rule out other causes, patients undergo cognitive testing and may be referred to specialists for more detailed evaluations, often involving brain imaging.

Critics warn that without clear diagnostic goals, some individuals with dementia may be incorrectly dismissed as experiencing depression or age-related decline, while others with symptoms mimicking dementia could receive inaccurate diagnoses, potentially missing out on effective treatments for alternate conditions. Professor Green highlighted a case where an elderly care home resident was prematurely labeled as having dementia despite her symptoms likely stemming from depression linked to significant personal losses.

Professor Rob Howard, a specialist in old-age psychiatry at University College London, noted that clearer diagnosis targets had been a key factor in improving dementia detection rates in recent years. He expressed broader concerns about societal attitudes toward the elderly, suggesting that undervaluing older populations may contribute to weaker prioritization of dementia care and research. Similarly, Professor Gill Livingston, also from University College London, acknowledged earlier initiatives that raised dementia awareness, especially in hospital settings, but called for more substantial commitment and resources, including greater time allocation for the dedicated dementia tsar role.

In response, NHS England emphasized that despite the removal of nationally mandated diagnosis targets, the government remains committed to ensuring that two-thirds of individuals with dementia receive timely diagnosis and care. The shift is intended to grant local health organizations greater autonomy to tailor services to community needs rather than adhering to fixed national benchmarks.

The current dementia tsar, Dr. Jeremy Isaacs, reported record numbers of diagnoses and referrals over the past year and highlighted ongoing efforts to expand support options such as cognitive therapy, caregiver education, and medication access. He also noted the NHS’s involvement in monitoring emerging treatments that show promise in clinical trials.

Nonetheless, experts urge vigilance to ensure that dementia maintains a high profile within both health and social care frameworks, warning that the removal of targets, if not carefully managed, could jeopardize progress in early diagnosis and comprehensive patient support.