The current state of dementia diagnosis and care in England (31 July 2025)

Summary

The current dementia care system remains fragmented, underfunded, and difficult to navigate, leaving many individuals and families unsupported. In response to these systemic challenges, Care England, in partnership with Dementia Forward and care providers, conducted a national survey in January 2025. This initiative aimed to capture the experiences of people living with dementia, their families, and care staff. The findings highlight significant gaps and inequalities in the dementia care pathway and inform a set of urgent policy recommendations.

Content

Key findings

• Nearly one in three wait over a year for a formal dementia diagnosis.
• Waiting times for memory clinics can exceed two years.
•  72% of individuals received no signposting to support while waiting for an appointment with a memory clinic.
• Only 28% of respondents found post-diagnosis support helpful.
•  82% of residential care workers have supported diagnostic processes.
• 70% face barriers accessing professional help for residents.

Recommendations

To help support individuals with dementia, their relatives and friends navigate the dementia care pathway, the report recommends:

Diagnostic Pathway Standards: A national standardised diagnostic pathway must be established and adopted consistently across all regions.

Diagnosis Accountability Framework: The government needs to reintroduce a national dementia diagnosis benchmark, not simply as a target, but as part of a Dementia Accountability Framework.

Waiting Well Support Scheme: A nationally mandated standard of care must be established across every stage of the dementia care pathway – including the pre diagnosis period.

Workforce Education for Care Workers: Provision and funding for national education as a minimum, for care providers to choose tailored workforce education specific to their needs. Dementia Leads in Every GP Surgery: Every GP surgery should appoint a Dementia Lead responsible for:

• Promoting dementia awareness and education amongst practice staff.
• Supporting all those involved with information, planning and signposting to local support services.
• Liaising with specialists, community teams, and voluntary organisations.