Wirral residents with undiagnosed dementia will be no longer be a priority for the NHS, following the removal of diagnosis targets from the latest NHS Guidance.
The changes, announced on 30 January by the Secretary of State for Health, West Streeting, have been slammed by campaigners and dementia charities.
There are currently estimated to be 982,000 people living with dementia in the UK and this is projected to rise to 1.4 million in 2040.
Data shows that 23,448 people, aged 65 or above, have received a recorded NHS diagnosis of dementia in Cheshire and Merseyside, enabling earlier intervention and support from the NHS and families of those affected.
In Wirral, communities with the highest levels of diagnosed dementia include:
• Claughton and Noctorum
• New Brighton
• Upton
• West Kirby
Until now, it had been a priority to diagnose people earlier, to enable care packages to be developed by the NHS and Council.
In response, Wirral’s Conservative Councillors have called an urgent vote at next week’s Council meeting, urging the Department for Health to reinstate the target. They are also calling for Wirral’s four MPs to give their support.
Councillor Mary Jordan (Conservative, Clatterbridge Ward) said: “NHS staff worked tirelessly to achieve the current diagnosis rate. We should be increasing these inline with cancer targets, not abandoning them.
"This is a short sighted and hasty decision which will impact on thousands of people and their families.
“We know that early diagnosis means earlier treatment and support, enabling people to live full lives for longer.
“The removal of this from the Government’s Five Year Plan for the NHS will see local NHS trusts focus instead on the targets that have been included, putting people with dementia at the back of the queue.”
Fiona Carragher, Chief Policy and Research Officer at Alzheimer’s Society, said: "Alzheimer’s Society is shocked to learn that dementia, including a dementia diagnosis target, has been removed from the NHS Operational Planning Guidance. This glaring omission is unacceptable and sends the message that dementia does not matter, and is not considered one of England’s healthcare priorities.
Councillor Vida Wilson (Conservative, Moreton West & Saughall Massie) added: “Removing this target, without any prior warning or consultation, will cause distress to people who are already feeling vulnerable and worried about their health.
“Having a national target for earlier diagnosis of dementia focusses the minds of local NHS managers and also enables the rest of us to see how many people the NHS is diagnosing. This helps councils, charities and care services to meet the real demand for support.”
“I very much hope that Labour Councillors in Wirral will set aside party politics and vote with us to reinstate this vital target.
- Councillor Vida Wilson
The vote will take place on Monday 17 March, 6pm, at Wallasey Town Hall.
