Janet Finch-Saunders
First Minister, it is shocking to note that, for half of those living with dementia in Wales, an initial delayed diagnosis is a serious issue, affecting themselves and of course their loved ones. Alzheimer’s Society Cymru have called for far more ambitious targets and interventions in this area. The society have also called for earlier diagnosis rate targets to increase annually as part of your Government’s forthcoming revised dementia strategy. Will you ensure that that overall aim and goal to allow for earlier diagnosis and intervention becomes a reality?
The First Minister
Hugely important. We know that in Betsi Cadwaladr University Local Health Board, for example, about 49 per cent of individuals with dementia have a diagnosis. Difficult initially, and sometimes people themselves, if they have no-one who can recognise it for them, don’t recognise it. It’s important that that diagnosis is available. I know that BCU, for example, have begun work on developing a new local strategy for people with dementia, addressing the wide range of services that are required. That work, of course, involves working with dementia groups.