Dementia surveillance illustrates the disparities that exist across England in relation to the diagnosis of people with dementia and subsequent care they receive. It is aimed at informing national and local policy development, and for local commissioners to help in planning services around the needs of people with dementia. This document concentrates on England and 7 NHS regional geographies and shows data from April 2024 to January 2025. It includes comparisons of the latest values for the 42 Integrated Care Boards (ICB). Separate factsheets for the ICB are also available. Historical data can be accessed via the reports section of the Dementia Profile.
The national aspiration is that two-thirds (66.7%) of people estimated to be living with dementia should have a formal diagnosis recorded in their primary care notes. This reflects the 2015 prime minister’s challenge to increase the numbers with a formal diagnosis of dementia. A timely diagnosis enables people living with dementia, their carers and healthcare staff to plan accordingly and work together to improve health and care outcomes. The 2 sections below present data on dementia diagnosis rates and diagnosed prevalence.
NHS England measure compliance with the national aspiration of dementia diagnosis levels using the estimated dementia diagnosis rate (EDDR). The EDDR is calculated as the number of people with a formal diagnosis of dementia divided by the number of people in the locality, aged 65 years and older, who are estimated to have dementia using the Cognitive & Function Assessment Study (CFAS II) prevalence rates.
The interactive chart in figure 1.1 shows the monthly value for EDDR as the rate of people diagnosed with dementia per 100 people expected to have dementia, aged 65 and over. Trend lines are shown for England and NHS regions against the national diagnosis aspiration line of 66.7%.
Figure 1.1
In January 2025, there were 735,168 people aged 65 and over estimated to have dementia in England. Of these, 480,741 have been formally diagnosed and added to the dementia register making the EDDR for England 65.4%. This was statistically similar to the 66.7% aspiration. The rate varied over the reporting time between 64.6% and 65.8%.
When looking at the regional variance for this period, the highest rate of 70% was in the North West while South West noted the lowest rate of 61.1%. Compared to the 66.7% aspiration value, none of the NHS regions placed statistically above it, South West placed below it and 6 regions showed no significant difference (Midlands, London, South East, North East and Yorkshire, East of England, and North West).
The interactive chart in figure 1.2 shows the latest value for EDDR as the rate of people diagnosed with dementia per 100 people expected to have dementia, aged 65 and over. The bar chart displays the 42 ICB in England grouped by NHS region.
Figure 1.2
In January 2025, the EDDR for England varied across the 42 ICB between 55.1% (Herefordshire and Worcestershire) and 75.6% (South Yorkshire). One ICB was significantly above the 66.7% national aspiration (South Yorkshire) and 10 below it (Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Suffolk and North East Essex, Coventry and Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire, Humber and North Yorkshire, Kent and Medway, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire, Devon, Dorset, and Somerset).
Prevalence describes the frequency of existing cases in a defined population at a given point in time. Measuring prevalence can be particularly helpful in assessing the need for preventive action and the planning of health services. Prevalence illustrated below is the number of people with a formal diagnosis of dementia on their primary care record, as a percentage of those registered with the primary care practices. The population it measures is aged 65 years and older.
The interactive chart in figure 2.1 shows the monthly prevalence for those with a formal diagnosis of dementia as trend lines for England and NHS regions.
Figure 2.1
In January 2025, the diagnosed dementia prevalence in people aged 65 and over for England was 4.2% of the 11.4 million registered patients. Over the reporting time, the prevalence was between 4.2% and 4.3%. Across NHS regions, the highest rate of 4.4% was in the North West while London and South West noted the lowest rate of 4.1%. Compared to the 4.2% national value, 2 of the regions placed above it (North East and Yorkshire and North West), one placed below it, and 4 showed no statistical difference (Midlands, London, South East, and East of England).
The interactive chart in figure 2.2 shows the latest prevalence for those with a formal diagnosis of dementia as a bar chart for the 42 ICB in England grouped by NHS region.
Figure 2.2
In January 2025, the diagnosed dementia prevalence in people aged 65 and over for England varied across the 42 ICB between 3.6% (North East London and Herefordshire and Worcestershire) and 4.8% (South Yorkshire).
Ensuring dementia patients receive a high quality of care is one of the aspirations outlined in the Prime Minister’s challenge on dementia 2020. This section illustrates data on memory clinic referrals, antipsychotic prescribing and planning care for people of all ages with a record of dementia diagnosis.
The majority of formal diagnoses of dementia are provided by specialist clinicians at memory assessment services (memory clinics). To receive a referral to a memory clinic from primary care, an individual should be first assessed to eliminate any potential underlying causes that may be contributing to memory and welfare issues. Since March 2020, the COVID19 pandemic has affected the provision of the usual health services in England, limiting access to memory assessment services.
The interactive bar chart in figure 3.1 shows the referrals to memory clinics as a percentage of all individuals receiving an assessment for dementia since 1 April 2024 for England and NHS regions. The memory clinic referrals data is cumulative and resets in April each year.
Figure 3.1
Between April 2024 and January 2025, there were 31,705 referrals to specialist memory assessment services in England. This was 13.1% of all dementia assessments provided. Higher than England percentages of referrals were recorded in 2 of the regions (North East and Yorkshire and East of England) with the top value of 18.7% in East of England. Lowest value was in South East (10.4%) with 5 of the regions placed statistically below the England value (Midlands, London, South East, South West, and North West).
The interactive bar chart in figure 3.2 shows the referrals to memory clinics as a percentage of all individuals receiving an assessment for dementia since 1 April 2024 for the 42 ICB in England grouped by NHS region. The memory clinic referrals data is cumulative and resets in April each year.
Figure 3.2
Between April 2024 and January 2025, the percentage of referrals to specialist memory assessment services out of all dementia assessments provided in England varied across the 42 ICB between 4% (Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire) and 32% (Suffolk and North East Essex).
People with dementia may develop behavioural and psychological symptoms (BPSD) including agitation, aggression, distress, and psychosis. They are often prescribed antipsychotic medication. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance recommends prescription of antipsychotics should be undertaken with serious consideration.
The interactive chart in figure 4.1 shows the number of people with dementia receiving a prescription for antipsychotic medication in the preceding 6 week period, as a percentage of all individuals with a formal diagnosis of dementia. It displays the England and NHS regional trend lines.
Figure 4.1
In January 2025, 8.7% of people with a diagnosis of dementia also received a prescription for antipsychotic medication in the preceding 6 week period in England. The highest levels of antipsychotic prescribing were in 3 of the regions (Midlands, South East, and East of England) with the top value of 9.9% in East of England. Lowest prescribing levels were in North East and Yorkshire (7.5%) with 3 of the regions placed statistically below the England value (South West, North East and Yorkshire, and North West). The remaining area of London showed no statistical difference from the national prescribing levels.
The interactive chart in figure 4.2 shows the number of people with dementia receiving a prescription for antipsychotic medication in the preceding 6 week period, as a percentage of all individuals with a formal diagnosis of dementia. The bar chart displays the 42 ICB in England grouped by NHS region.
Figure 4.2
In January 2025, the percentage of people with a diagnosis of dementia who also received a prescription for antipsychotic medication in the preceding 6 week period varied across the 42 ICB in England between 6.7% (Lancashire and South Cumbria, Greater Manchester, and Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire) and 11.6% (Suffolk and North East Essex and Norfolk and Waveney).
Following a diagnosis of dementia, a care plan should be put in place as soon as possible. This plan should set out the care needed by the person and those caring for them and it should be reviewed regularly. If a care plan is not current, there could be unmet needs for the individual leading to the deterioration of their health and wellbeing. The dementia care pathway full implementation guidance recommends that the care plan should be reviewed within at least 12 months of being agreed, then reviewed every 12 months in accordance with changes in the person’s needs. There will be geographical differences in what team provides care plans and reviews as different local services develop care plans in different parts of the country.
The interactive bar chart in figure 5.1 shows the number of people with dementia who have received a care plan or care plan review in the preceding 12 month period as a percentage of all individuals with a formal diagnosis of dementia. This data is cumulative and the monthly values can be used as a performance measure to indicate progress in the given area but they are not suitable for comparisons over time. Annual trends can be seen in the Dementia Profile by comparing data collected at the end of March each year.
Figure 5.1
In January 2025, there were 495,904 people with a dementia diagnosis in England. Of these, 338,025 had a care plan or care plan review recorded in the past 12 months (68.2%).
When looking at the regional variance for this period, the highest percentage of 70.2% was in the North West while Midlands noted the lowest value of 65.3%. Compared to the 68.2% England value, 3 of the NHS regions placed above it (North East and Yorkshire, East of England, and North West), 2 below (Midlands and South West) and 2 regions showed no significant difference (London and South East).
The interactive bar chart in figure 5.2 shows the number of people with dementia who have received a care plan or care plan review in the preceding 12 month period as a percentage of all individuals with a formal diagnosis of dementia. The bar chart displays the 42 ICB in England grouped by NHS region.
Figure 5.2
In January 2025, the percentage of people with a diagnosis of dementia who also received a care plan or a care plan review varied across the 42 ICB in England between 52.2% (Black Country) and 73.9% (West Yorkshire). 15 ICB were significantly above the 68.2% national value (Mid and South Essex, Suffolk and North East Essex, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, North East London, North West London, Herefordshire and Worcestershire, West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Merseyside, Frimley, Kent and Medway, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire, and Dorset) and 16 below it (Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes, Hertfordshire and West Essex, North Central London, South East London, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, Derby and Derbyshire, Northamptonshire, Coventry and Warwickshire, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, Black Country, South Yorkshire, Sussex, Hampshire and Isle of Wight, Devon, Somerset, and Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly).
This document was created by National Dementia Intelligence team (NDI), part of Clinical Epidemiology in the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) on 25 February 2025. Data points represent extracts at the last day of the month. Data used in this publication is available via the Surveillance Factsheet part of the Dementia Profile. Underlying data, caveats and metadata are provided by the NHS. Enquiries: ndi@dhsc.gov.uk
This document is using Primary Care Dementia Data, which replaced the Recorded Dementia Diagnosis data in October 2022. The latter has been analysed in previous Dementia Surveillance Factsheet which reflects geographies from before July 2022. Geography changes are detailed by the data provider.
In the new Primary Care Dementia Data the primary care practice coverage was relatively low to start with, while practices were signing up to the new data collection system. That number has recovered to over 95% in March 2023 but still had incomplete data due to one of the Integrated Care Boards not submitting any data at all. From April 2023 all the ICB submit data and practice coverage is above 98%, which is why that date is the first reported in the new version of this factsheet. March data is treated as an end of year point and the factsheets for previous years up to March can be downloaded separately while latest factsheet will always aim to start in April of the current financial year, once enough data points are available. The latest coverage in January 2025 is 98.7%.
Statistical data comparisons have been made using 95% confidence intervals. If the area’s confidence interval contains the comparator value of the higher geography, the values for both areas are not significantly statistically different from each other. These values are described as ‘not different’ in the factsheet. If the whole confidence interval is above the comparator value, the area’s value is significantly statistically higher than the comparator. These values are described as ‘higher’ or ‘above’. If the whole confidence interval is below the comparator value, the area’s value is significantly statistically lower than the comparator. These values are described as ‘below’ or ‘lower’.