How untrained NHS GPs are missing two-thirds of dementia victims

Hundreds of thousands of dementia sufferers remain undiagnosed - largely because of a lack of GP training, it can be revealed. Research shows two-thirds of victims have not been identified by the NHS - meaning they get no drugs, home help or other vital assistance. And a separate survey of family doctors found that their inadequate training, and a shortage of support services for sufferers, is mostly to blame for the health service's failings.

There are at least 700,000 people living with Alzheimer's or a related condition in Britain, with 575,000 of those in England, according to Government-recognised research. GPs are expected to compile lists of all those diagnosed. But according to an analysis of those lists in England by the Liberal Democrats and the Alzheimer's Society, only 220,000 are registered. It means around 355,000 - 62 per cent - of dementia sufferers live without any support from the NHS.

Meanwhile, in the survey of GPs by the Daily Mail, 29 per cent admit they have not had enough training to diagnose and manage dementia. Some 60 per cent said there was a reluctance to diagnose because of a lack of support services, while 40 per cent felt hesitant to make a diagnosis because of the dearth of drug treatments. Worryingly, 10 per cent feel nothing can be done for victims, so do not bother to diagnose at all. Overall, more than two-thirds said funding shortages were to blame for care failures.

Neil Hunt, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society, said: 'Without a diagnosis, people can't understand frightening symptoms and can't make plans for the future or access support. 'GPs get very little time and we hear cases of people being told they are stupid and sent away. 'Others have a five minute session and are basically told, "good luck, I don't envy you but there's nothing we can do". 'It's no wonder people give in to depression and give up. But the evidence is many can have a reasonable quality of life if the disease is diagnosed early enough.'

The LibDem research into undiagnosed sufferers found 95 per cent of PCTs have fewer than half the registered dementia patients expected. It also unveils a postcode lottery, with some health trusts having far fewer registered patients than others. The worst is Heart of Birmingham PCT, which covers the centre of the city. An estimated 82 per cent of sufferers there are undiagnosed. The best is Islington in North London. But even there, some 32 per cent go undiagnosed.

LibDem health spokesman Norman Lamb said: 'These findings beg the question - why are so many going without the help their GP can offer? 'Too often people assume nothing can be done and it is a part of ageing. 'We must challenge this view, because a great deal can be done to delay the onset and progression of the condition. 'The NHS must do more to ensure people are encouraged to seek early help and that they have access to care from their GP, specialist assessment and accurate diagnosis. 'But the problems go wider with a social care sector under massive pressure. 'The Government has been slow to acknowledge these problems and there's a risk that urgently-required reform will be knocked in the long grass as economic problems grab attention.'

But Care Services Minister Phil Hope promised investment into dementia research will 'continue to grow'. He added: 'We recognise that the key to improving the diagnosis rates is firstly to increase public and professional awareness. 'Secondly, we must ensure professionals involved in diagnosis have the skills and knowledge to do so effectively.'

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