GPs 'slow to diagnose dementia'

GPS are failing to spot dementia early enough, leaving patients without access to treatment. Patients diagnosed with dementia by their family doctors also live fewer years than those actively screened for the disease.

Research by scientists from the Medical Research Council (MRC) also revealed death rates are more than three times higher in people with dementia in the first year after GP diagnosis than in those without the condition.

Chris Kennard, chairman of the MRC neuroscience board, said: "It's clear that too little too late is being done to diagnose dementia. People may miss out on the opportunity to have early interventions, as new treatments come along.

"It's estimated that 80 million people worldwide will be affected by dementia by 2040, so it's crucial GPs are given the support and training they need to get to grips with identifying it accurately and as early as possible."

Dr Greta Rait, who led the study, published online in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), said: "Our findings will help clinicians to make more realistic estimates of life expectancy and also assist policymakers."