Herald Express: Supporting those living with dementia and their loved ones

Dementia is the leading cause of death in the UK, and while its scale is national, its impact is deeply local and personal. The condition is already widespread as our population ages, but sadly, that number is expected to rise sharply soon.  

According to NHS England, one in 11 people over the age of 65 is living with dementia. That figure rises to one in six for those over 80. In Devon, which has one of the oldest populations in England, this issue is not just coming; it is already here, and is set to significantly worsen, with the number of cases in the county projected to grow by 54% between 2024 and 2040.  

But, despite the above, dementia has received little attention in Westminster. In fact, since last year’s election, cancer has been mentioned five times more often. In June, I started to address this imbalance by leading a debate on dementia care in the Chamber.  

What was striking was not only how well attended the debate was – so many MPs wanted to contribute that the Deputy Speaker had to reduce our allotted speaking time – but the openness with which they shared their constituents' and their own families' stories of dementia. It was a timely reminder that behind every statistic are individuals and their loved ones trying to live with this heartbreaking condition.  

The issues raised by MPs were similar regardless of where they represent; delays in care, a lack of support for carers and slow diagnosis rates.  

The latter is a particularly pernicious problem in Devon, and is, in part, why this week I hosted a roundtable with Devon and Cornwall MPs, representatives from Devon Dementia Strategy, the Alzheimer’s Society, Dementia UK, and Alzheimer’s Research UK. 

Receiving a timely diagnosis for dementia is not just about putting a name to a condition; it is also the essential first step towards accessing care, planning for the future, and, increasingly, starting treatment. But in Devon, far too many people are facing a lengthy wait for diagnosis.  

As of March 2025, our county’s dementia diagnosis rate stands well below the national average, placing Devon 39th out of 42 NHS systems in England. At the same time, demand for services is increasing. Referrals to the Devon memory service have surged by 94% over the past five years, yet no additional investment has been made to meet this rising need.  

In Torbay, the pressure is especially acute, with some individuals now waiting up to 20 weeks for an assessment. While in the South Hams, the diagnosis rate stands at just 44%, the lowest in the country.  

However, there is hope on the horizon. Devon has recently developed a new countywide dementia strategy, which aims to bring about real and meaningful change for those living with dementia and their loved ones.  

Written in collaboration with over 40 organisations, it sets out what is needed in dementia care today and for the foreseeable future. It is commendable work and demonstrates the strategic thinking we need on a national level.  

Back in June, I called on the Government to develop a clear strategy to support people with dementia and their families at every stage. This would start with an urgent review of NHS continuing healthcare, so that dementia-specific needs are recognised, as well as provision for every NHS acute trust to have a specialist dementia nurse service.  

These two steps alone could make a monumental difference. Yes, they require money, but investing in dementia support will save the NHS money in the long-term. And, regardless of cost it is the right thing to do; it is high time we treated dementia care not as a burden, but as a part of building a compassionate and sustainable future for everyone.