GPs spend almost 4.1 million hours a year with dementia patients, a figure that is expected to increase by 43% by 2040, the Alzheimer’s Society has warned.
Research by the charity which highlights the economic burden of the condition on the NHS, also found that people with dementia visit the GP between 1.5 and 2.5 times more per year than someone without dementia.
People living with undiagnosed dementia also attend A&E three times more than those without the condition, accounting for more than 520,000 visits each year.
In addition, primary care only drives 8% of total dementia healthcare spend despite accounting for 43% of all community-based activity, the report found.
The analysis used the medical records of 26,000 people with the condition in North West London over the past seven years.
It showed that found that people with undiagnosed dementia, on average, attend A&E 1.5 times per year – more than people with mild, moderate and severe dementia, and three times as much as people without dementia but with similar conditions.
The Alzheimer’s Society said the NHS could make significant savings with reduced visits if more people were diagnosed earlier.
Public awareness campaigns on the symptoms and when to seek help are needed as well as training for GPs in recognising and diagnosing dementia at an early stage, a spokesperson said.
But there also needs to be stronger relationships between primary care, memory clinics and other diagnostic services, they added.
The Government should also set targets for ‘bold, ambitious and achievable’ rates of new dementia diagnosis, it said.
Kate Lee, chief executive officer for Alzheimer’s Society, said: ‘Dementia is the biggest health and social care issue of our time and is costing the UK £42 billion per year.
‘It’s unacceptable that people with undiagnosed dementia are visiting A&E three times more than those without the condition – it’s causing a financial burden for our already struggling healthcare system, which should be a point of focus as we approach the Budget in October.
‘People with dementia often find hospitals confusing and frightening. Prolonged stays in hospital can have a negative impact on their physical health and dementia symptoms can worsen.
‘Early, accurate diagnosis is crucial to manage symptoms and avoid ending up in crisis.’
In September it was announced a new digital version of the NHS Health Check would be piloted in selected areas. This can help spot early signs of stroke, kidney disease, type 2 diabetes and dementia.
A version of this story was first published on our sister title Pulse.
