Home / Health / Dementia Care Revolution: England Urged to Adopt Cancer Targets
Dementia Care Revolution: England Urged to Adopt Cancer Targets
18 Sep
Summary
- Calls to set an 18-week referral-to-treatment target for dementia care.
- Dementia care described as 'stuck in the 20th century'.
- Government to appoint a dementia tsar by year-end.
Calls are mounting for England to establish a national waiting-time target for dementia care, inspired by the successful model for cancer treatment. The Alzheimer's Society has proposed an 18-week referral-to-treatment benchmark, a concept supported by former health officials and social care reviewers.
This push comes as dementia care is critically described as "stuck in the 20th century," lacking the urgency and standards seen in other health services. Social Care Minister Alison McGovern has voiced support for a "cancer-style revolution" for dementia, recognizing it has been "neglected for far too long."
The government has committed to appointing a "dementia tsar" with significant expertise and releasing a new service framework by the end of the year to expedite support. This figure will oversee much-needed changes to speed up diagnosis and treatment.
Experts believe an 18-week target is achievable with "political initiative" and increased funding, acknowledging the substantial toll dementia takes on individuals and families. Recommendations from Baroness Casey's social care review are also anticipated next summer, potentially influencing further reforms.
