Speaking at the Innovation Summit in Manchester last week, Burnham announced a £48m industry partnership to back dementia research and speed up the development of new treatments.

Burnham said: ‘I want Britain to be the country that makes the breakthrough and delivers the cure for dementia the world has been waiting for. That is why I am making dementia research a national priority - by backing the NHS, universities, researchers and industry to drive the breakthroughs we desperately need.

‘This investment goes hand in hand with our plans for a National Care Service, helping ensure that people living with dementia get the care and support they need, and giving families peace of mind that their loved ones will be cared for.'

Dementia is estimated to cost the UK more than £42bn a year, with the vast majority of costs falling on social care and unpaid care provided by family and friends, and the cost to the NHS at £7 bn.

Backed by up to £600m from Government and the Wellcome Trust, HDRS will bring NHS and research data from across the UK into a single, secure system for approved research. Scientists will be able to identify eligible patients and recruit participants more quickly.

The service will also complement the work of The BARBARA Alliance, which will help more people take part in trials.