Greater Manchester has been revealed as the top-performing region in the North West for dementia diagnosis and the second best across the whole of England, according to the latest NHS figures.
And it puts the success down to the set-up of its integrated care system, which promotes collaboration across the healthcare system and wider public sector.
Figures from NHS Digital for December and November 2024 show that 75% of people in Greater Manchester aged 65 or over who are estimated to be living with dementia had a recorded diagnosis of dementia – significantly above the national NHS targets.
NHS South Yorkshire ICB came out top in England with 76% in December and 76.5% last November.
Early diagnosis of dementia helps individuals and their families understand the condition, make informed decisions about care, and access the support they need to live well.
Dementia is a regional priority, with local standards in place for GPs and other healthcare professionals to enhance the quality of care and experience for those affected by dementia.
Dr Manisha Kumar, chief medical officer at NHS Greater Manchester, said they were ‘proud’ to be ‘leading the way in dementia diagnosis’.
‘Our focus is on providing compassionate care that makes a real difference for people with dementia and their loved ones in Greater Manchester, starting with early diagnosis to ensure they get the right support from the very beginning,’ she said.
Dementia United is Greater Manchester’s programme for dementia, bringing together the NHS, public services and the community to improve the quality and experience of care for people living with dementia.
The programme aims to deliver high-quality, person-centred care that supports people diagnosed with dementia to live a good life.
It includes an online resource – Greater Manchester dementia and brain health quality standards – for people to use to help guide conversations with professionals when seeking advice and support. This can be used by patients concerned about their own health or family members worried about a loved one.
