A draft dementia plan removes a proposed 18-week target for diagnosing people with suspected dementia, according to reporting drawing on concerns raised by the Alzheimer’s Society. The change is described as being linked to cost considerations, with the charity warning that the absence of a clear, measurable goal could lead to weaker delivery of services.
The Alzheimer’s Society’s chief executive is quoted as saying the plan is not “worth the paper it is written on” without enforceable targets. The charity argues that without an agreed timeframe, services may be scaled back and some patients could face long waits for diagnosis, potentially resulting in months or years of delays as symptoms progress.
The reports frame the dispute as a tension between funding constraints and the need for consistent, timely access to dementia assessment. While the coverage centers on the draft plan and the removal of the 18-week target, it highlights the potential downstream impact on patient access and the timing of care decisions.
