Quality of diagnosis

This project is separate, but closely related to, ongoing work in Greater Manchester around the Target Dementia Diagnosis Rate.  This is a national ambition that two thirds of the estimated number of people with dementia in England should have a diagnosis with appropriate post-diagnostic support.

Our aims

• Working with people living affected by dementia we’ll co-produce guidance for practitioners to consider when giving a diagnosis of dementia
• We’ll collate information on the different memory assessment pathways in Greater Manchester and share this to increase knowledge of best practice across localities. This is part of our work to share good practice and recognise challenges.
• We’ll develop a regular forum for memory assessment services and commissioned post-diagnostic support services to support best practice and innovation.

Why this matters  

Being given a diagnosis of dementia is a life-changing event and can set the tone for how a person views their subsequent pathway (Alzheimer’s Society: From diagnosis to end of life: The lived experiences of dementia care and support. Research shows many people were dissatisfied with the way their diagnosis had been given (Low, L et al (2018). Do people with early-stage dementia experience Prescribed Disengagement? A systematic review of qualitative studies, International Psychogeriatrics 30(6): 807–831. Cited in the report above). Its important people receive a timely and accurate diagnosis of dementia, alongside tailored advice and signposting to post-diagnostic support.

An early diagnosis opens the door to future care and treatment. It helps people to plan ahead while they are still able to make important decisions on their care and support needs and on financial and legal matters. It also helps them and their families to receive practical information, advice and guidance as they face new challenges (Social Care Institute for Excellence, 2023).

What we’ve achieved so far

 We’re involved in a national study of memory assessment services currently being completed by Leeds Beckett University. We were part of an Expert Reference Group and supported localities to contribute to this research project, with six services in Greater Manchester providing feedback. Find out more

• We held a summit for memory assessment services in August 2020 with a report published – Greater Manchester Memory Assessment Services: Summit Outcomes and Best Practice. This report outlined changes in practice due to COVID-19 and recommendations for memory assessment services.
• Diagnosing well is one of the strands of our Greater Manchester Dementia Care Pathway This is an online resource sharing best practice and local resources. This resource is available to all those affected by dementia.  We are currently working to update this pathway further.

What’s next?

This project is part of our Dementia and Brain Health Delivery Plan 2023 to 2025. We’re working closely with our Lived Experience Group, Dementia Carers Expert Reference Group and partners across Greater Manchester to take this work forward.

We are currently mapping the diagnosis pathways for people across Greater Manchester.  This work is to understand more about the variations in service models that currently exist and we will be completing a report to provide this information.

National resources have been added to the website: Useful national resources: quality of diagnosis

You can find out more about our Lived Experience Group here

You can find out more about our Dementia Carers Expert Reference Group here

 

If you would like further information or to get involved with this project, please email gmhscp.dementiaunited@nhs.net and we will direct you to the relevant project manager.