NHS: Dementia Treatment Trials

Lord Weir of Ballyholme Excerpts

Monday 22nd June 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

My noble friend makes a very fair observation that probably applies to many situations. When we talk about diagnosis, we are talking about getting the right people diagnosed, and quickly. That is why the modern service framework, as I mentioned earlier, will be developed and is being developed with partners and those with a particular interest. That will make sure that any interventions not only improve dementia care but improve diagnosis and the waiting times for diagnosis.

[Lord Weir of Ballyholme (DUP)]

My Lords, it is welcome that the Government seem to be setting national targets for dementia diagnosis. But targets are valuable only if they are accompanied by timeframes, not simply for diagnosis but for a treatment plan. Will the Government consider proposals such as from Alzheimer’s Research UK, which talks about an 18-week target for diagnosis and the development of a treatment plan for each patient?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

We will indeed consider that, and we are very grateful to Alzheimer’s Research UK and other organisations for working with us to get to the right place.