Waiting times for a dementia diagnosis have become longer, with patients experiencing delays that are now considered routine, according to a recent audit of memory assessment services. The National Audit of Dementia (NAD) Survey of Memory Assessment Services in England, Wales, and Jersey found that the average waiting time from referral to diagnosis was 137 days, or 20 weeks, in the past year. This represents an increase of five days compared to the previous audit conducted two years prior.
The report highlights a significant disparity in waiting times across different regions, describing it as a "postcode lottery." While nearly half of dementia clinics (48%) offer an average wait of 18 weeks or less, a notable portion, 13%, require patients to wait over a year for a diagnosis.
Impact of Delays
Prompt diagnosis is crucial for dementia patients. Delays can lead to a rapid deterioration of the patient's condition and can prevent access to appropriate support and treatments that are most effective in the early stages of the disease. For patients and their families, the uncertainty surrounding a diagnosis can also heighten stress and anxiety.
Access to Therapy and Testing
The audit also revealed inconsistencies in the provision of recommended therapies and diagnostic tests. More than three-quarters of services (77%) offer cognitive stimulation therapy (CST), which uses sensory engagement to evoke positive memories and feelings. However, 23% of services do not provide CST, despite it being recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
Furthermore, the report found that 40% of services do not routinely conduct blood tests for patients, and an additional 15% only test blood for some individuals. This raises questions about the readiness of healthcare systems for the potential rollout of blood biomarker tests that could aid in dementia diagnosis.
Increasing Demand and System Pressures
Researchers involved in the report warned of "significant unwarranted variation" across the country, attributing the rising waiting times to "continued pressure on clinical services." The Alzheimer's Society stated that the system is failing, with many services lacking the necessary staff to cope with the growing demand.
The number of patients with a recorded dementia diagnosis in England has increased, with over 14,000 more people diagnosed between March 2025 and March 2026, bringing the total to 513,135. NHS England noted that while more people are being diagnosed, efforts are underway to address long waiting times through an upcoming national plan for dementia care and a "fit for future dementia challenge" aimed at finding innovations to reduce diagnosis times.