\n
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.<\/p>\n
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.<\/p>\n
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.<\/p>\n
Your support makes all the difference.<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nRead more<\/span><\/svg><\/span><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nOscar-winning actress Dame Judi Dench is spearheading a new campaign urging the government to ensure earlier dementia diagnoses for patients across the NHS. <\/p>\n
Backing a petition by Alzheimer\u2019s Research UK, the veteran performer is advocating for a significant reduction in the time it takes for individuals to receive a diagnosis after referral.<\/p>\n
The call comes as nearly one million people in the UK are currently living with dementia, yet approximately one in three remain undiagnosed. This lack of clarity can have profound implications for individuals and their families, hindering access to vital support and planning.<\/p>\n
According to Alzheimer\u2019s Research UK, the diagnostic process is fraught with delays, with some patients in England facing waits of up to a year following referral. <\/p>\n
The charity highlights a stark disparity, noting that those in the most deprived areas often endure even longer delays, exacerbating health inequalities.<\/p>\n
Dame Judi, a vocal advocate for dementia awareness, said: “Dementia doesn\u2019t just take away memories \u2013 it can take away identity, connection, and the future you thought you had. <\/p>\n
\u201cWatching loved ones slip away, and not knowing why, is an experience no one should have to go through without answers.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany people across the UK are still waiting far too long for a dementia diagnosis \u2013 or never receive one at all.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat means they miss out on vital support, on the chance to plan ahead, opportunities to get involved in research, and on precious time\u201d.<\/p>\n
\n
\n<\/p>\n
open image in gallery<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>According to Alzheimer\u2019s Research UK, people in some parts of England can wait up to a year for a diagnosis after being referred, while those in the most deprived areas face longer delays (PA)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nShe added: \u201cA diagnosis may not fix everything, but it gives people understanding, clarity, and some control at a time when everything feels uncertain. It allows families to make the most of the moments they have left.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019ve signed Alzheimer\u2019s Research UK\u2019s petition \u2013 and why I\u2019m asking the public to do the same.<\/p>\n
\u201cTogether, we can call on government to fix the crumbling diagnosis system and make sure no one faces dementia unseen.\u201d<\/p>\n
The new Alzheimer\u2019s Research UK campaign, Dementia Unseen, comes after the NHS target to ensure 66.7% of people with dementia receive a diagnosis was removed from NHS planning guidance for 2025-26.<\/p>\n
Two breakthrough Alzheimer\u2019s drugs: lecanemab and donanemab, were rejected for use on the NHS last week.<\/p>\n
Alzheimer\u2019s Research UK is calling for people with suspected dementia to be referred by their GP to see a specialist within six weeks \u2013 and to have a diagnosis and treatment plan in place within 18 weeks.<\/p>\n
Hilary Evans-Newton, chief executive of Alzheimer\u2019s Research UK, said: \u201cEveryone who has dementia should have the right to know the disease or diseases causing it, and to be diagnosed early enough to get treatments that help with its symptoms.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut hundreds of thousands of people are waiting too long for a diagnosis, causing uncertainty, and adding distress to an already challenging situation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re incredibly grateful to Dame Judi for helping shine a light on what people with dementia need \u2013 and to everyone who has already signed our petition and stands with us.<\/p>\n
\u201cMore people are seeking answers, so it\u2019s vital that the NHS and government act now to fix the system \u2013 because no one should face dementia alone or unseen.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n
\n<\/p>\n
open image in gallery<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>The Oscar-winning actress is backing a new campaign and petition by Alzheimer\u2019s Research UK for people with the condition to be told much quicker if they have it (Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nProfessor Fiona Carragher, chief policy officer at Alzheimer\u2019s Society, said: \u201cEveryone living with dementia deserves the clarity and dignity of an early and accurate diagnosis. Yet, more than a third of people living with this terminal condition are in the dark because they haven\u2019t been diagnosed, with many left to struggle alone without the care, support and treatment a diagnosis can bring.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn fact, on average people experience dementia symptoms for three and a half years before they receive a diagnosis.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor some time, we\u2019ve been calling on the UK Government to urgently address dementia diagnosis and we welcome the recommendations in this new report.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn particular, we support the call for health services to have the right teams and technology they need to diagnose more people, and for more data on diagnosis so that resources can be targeted where they\u2019re needed most.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe science for dementia treatments is flying but the diagnosis system is failing. It is crucial governments invest in diagnosis across England, Wales and Northern Ireland so people can access the existing treatments of today, plan for the future, and be eligible for the life-changing treatments of tomorrow.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf our governments set bold and ambitious new dementia diagnosis rate targets to get more people diagnosed, this would bring significant benefits for individuals, their families, and for health and care services.\u201d<\/p>\n
The petition can be found at https:\/\/alzres.uk\/unseen<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference. Read more Oscar-winning actress Dame Judi Dench is spearheading a new campaign urging the government to ensure earlier dementia diagnoses for patients across the NHS. Backing a petition by Alzheimer\u2019s Research UK, the veteran performer is advocating for a significant reduction in the time it takes for individuals to receive a diagnosis after referral. The call comes as nearly one million people in the UK are currently living with dementia, yet approximately one in three remain undiagnosed. This lack of clarity can have profound implications for individuals and their families, hindering access to vital support and planning. According to Alzheimer\u2019s Research UK, the diagnostic process is fraught with delays, with some patients in England facing waits of up to a year following referral. The charity highlights a stark disparity, noting that those in the most deprived areas often endure even longer delays, exacerbating health inequalities. Dame Judi, a vocal advocate for dementia awareness, said: “Dementia doesn\u2019t just take a…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2646,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[2],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2645"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2645"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2645\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2646"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2645"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2645"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2645"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}