The dementia diagnosis rate targets were removed from the NHS Operational Planning Guidance for 2025-26 on 30 January 2025.

Professor Martin Green, chief executive of Care England, said the move was ‘another devastating blow to the nearly one million people living with dementia in the UK today, as well as their families, carers and the staff that support them'.

Prof Green added: ‘This decision is both unacceptable and offensive to a large section of our society. The Government must commit to a clear, robust plan for dementia care.'

Care England has issued a short questionnaire designed to identify gaps and opportunities in the current dementia care pathway and to charge Government with the necessary improvements to dementia care support services.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘The best way to immediately make the NHS work better for patients is to help leaders prioritise their focus.  

‘The health service needs to deliver on patients' priorities – shorter waiting times, being able to get a GP appointment, and ambulances that arrive on time – and these things will benefit those with dementia too.

‘A central focus our 10-Year Health Plan will be how we will put Britain at the forefront of transforming treatment for dementia, backing research into the disease and ensuring that the latest and most effective treatments are rolled out in a safe and timely way.'