Alzheimer Scotland responds to ‘Unlocking Diagnosis: The key to improving the lives of people with dementia’, a report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia (APPG)

Alzheimer Scotland welcomes the focus of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia’s report on improving the rates of diagnosis.  Receiving a timely diagnosis is a fundamental human right for every person with dementia and is essential in ensuring they have access to the range of supports and treatment which help them to continue living well. 

This report recognises that Scotland is already making significant progress in improving rates of diagnosis for dementia.  Dementia was made a HEAT target in Scotland in 2008 and became a Standard in 2011.  We are pleased with this approach which supports a commitment to achieve continued improvements in the timely diagnosis and management of people with dementia in Scotland. 

However, timely diagnosis is meaningless unless people with dementia, their partners, families and carers, are supported beyond the diagnosis.  They need personalised and flexible support to come to terms with the diagnosis.  Alzheimer Scotland supports the Scottish Government’s commitment to a minimum of one years’ post diagnostic support for every person who receives a diagnosis of dementia based on a “Five Pillar Model” developed by Alzheimer Scotland.

Jim Pearson – Deputy Director of Policy, Alzheimer Scotland

Alzheimer Scotland believes that Scotland’s approach is delivering improvements and that together these key strands of work will address many of the barriers to getting a diagnosis, not least reducing the fear of dementia.  By ensuring that people with dementia are supported to live well, more people will come forward for help from their GP.

While Alzheimer Scotland supports the positive progress that is being made in Scotland, we also recognise that too many people do not receive a diagnosis or get appropriate support after a diagnosis.  Therefore we will continue to work in partnership with every stakeholder to ensure that the rights to a timely diagnosis and access to personalised care and support throughout every stage of the illness are delivered for every person with dementia, their partners, families and carers.