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https://github.com/bbc-data-unit/dementia-diagnoses

UK dementia diagnoses rise 40% in five years
https://github.com/bbc-data-unit/dementia-diagnoses

dementia dementia-diagnosis nhs r shareddataunit

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UK dementia diagnoses rise 40% in five years

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# UK dementia diagnoses rise 40% in five years



![](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/660/cpsprodpb/B70C/production/_110006864_c3464dba-23c6-4a67-b02c-f9d81408cebe.jpg)



In December 2019 the BBC Shared Data Unit [reported](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-50394258) some parts of the UK had seen the number of people diagnosed with dementia more than double in five years, according to analysis of NHS data.



A drive to increase diagnosis rates and an ageing population were behind the increase, experts said.



Charities said dementia care provision must improve, calling it a "ridiculous lottery", and "very hit or miss".



NHS England said it was a priority to diagnose dementia earlier so people could receive correct treatment.



This piece of content was produced by a regional newspaper reporter working alongside BBC staff.



The Shared Data Unit makes data journalism available to news organisations across the media industry, as part of a partnership between the BBC and the News Media Association. Stories generated by the partnership included:



* ITV News Meridian: [Sharp rise in number of people diagnosed with dementia in the South East](https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2019-12-19/sharp-rise-in-number-of-people-diagnosed-with-dementia-in-the-south-east/) *19 December 2019*

* Belfast Telegraph: [Dementia numbers in Western Trust rise by a third as charity makes call for greater support](https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/dementia-numbers-in-western-trust-rise-by-a-third-as-charity-makes-call-for-greater-support-38800845.html) *19 December 2019*

* Signal 107FM: [Rise in dementia diagnosis across West Midlands](https://www.signal107.co.uk/news/local/rise-in-dementia-diagnosis-across-west-midlands/) *19 December 2019*

* JackFM: [Dementia diagnosis in Oxfordshire rises by 63%](https://www.jackfm.co.uk/news/oxfordshire-news/dementia-diagnosis-in-oxfordshire-rises-by-63/) *19 December 2019*

* The Scotsman: [UK charities in plea for more help with dementia](https://www.scotsman.com/health/uk-charities-in-plea-for-more-help-with-dementia-1-5064516) *19 December 2019*

* Kent Online: [NHS dementia rates rise significantly in Kent and Medway](https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/dementia-rates-rocket-by-71-in-kent-218755/) *19 December 2019*

* Kent Online: [Dementia patients more than doubles in Kent](https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/dramatic-increase-of-dementia-patients-in-kent-218822/) *19 December 2019*

* KMTV: TV made for Kent: [NHS dementia rates have more than doubled in Kent](https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kmtv/video/nhs-dementia-rates-have-more-than-doubled-in-kent-29939/) *19 December 2019*

* Dudley News: [Huge rise in number of people on Dudley's dementia register](https://www.dudleynews.co.uk/news/blackcountry/18107599.huge-rise-number-people-dudleys-dementia-register/) *19 December 2019*

* Stamford Mercury: [Dementia diagnosis rises in Rutland and South West Lincolnshire](https://www.stamfordmercury.co.uk/news/dementia-diagnosis-rises-significantly-9094065/) *19 December 2019*

* Ludlow Advertiser: [Huge rise in number of people on Dudley's dementia register](https://www.ludlowadvertiser.co.uk/news/regional/18107597.huge-rise-number-people-dudleys-dementia-register/) *19 December 2019*

* Bolton News: [Number of people in Bolton living with dementia rises 26 per cent in five years](https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/18110354.number-people-bolton-living-dementia-rises-26-per-cent-five-years/) *19 December 2019*

* Care Home Professional: [Dementia rates more than double in some parts of the country, NHS data shows](https://www.carehomeprofessional.com/dementia-rates-more-than-double-in-some-parts-of-the-country-nhs-data-shows/) *19 December 2019*

* ITV Anglia: [Dementia rates increase by over 50% in five years in some East of England areas](https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2019-12-18/dementia-rates-increase-by-over-50-in-five-years-in-some-east-of-england-areas/) *18 December 2019*

* Sunderland Echo: [Rise in number of people in Sunderland on dementia register](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/health/rise-number-people-sunderland-dementia-register-1346636) *20 December 2019*

* Rochdale Online: [Dementia diagnoses up by a third from 2014](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/health/rise-number-people-sunderland-dementia-register-1346636) *20 December 2019*

* Lynn News: [West Norfolk dementia diagnoses rise by 53% over five years](https://www.lynnnews.co.uk/news/west-norfolk-dementia-diagnoses-rise-by-53-over-five-years-9094612/) *23 December 2019*

* Eastern Daily Press: [Sharp rise in dementia diagnosis rates across Norfolk](https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/nhs-reveal-norfolk-dementia-diagnosis-increase-1-6437166) *23 December 2019*

* Nantwich News: [40% rise in dementia patients in South Cheshire, latest figures show](https://thenantwichnews.co.uk/2019/12/28/40-rise-in-dementia-patients-in-south-cheshire-latest-figures-show/) *28 December 2019*

* Hertfordshire: The Comet: [Dementia care branded 'hit or miss' as diagnosis rates increase across Hertfordshire and beyond](https://www.thecomet.net/news/dementia-diagnosis-figures-released-for-hertfordshire-1-6448132) *2 January 2020*

* Eastbourne Herald: [Sharp rise in dementia diagnosis rates across East Sussex](https://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news/people/sharp-rise-in-dementia-diagnosis-rates-across-east-sussex-1-9199827) *13 January 2020*

* News Letter: [Northern Ireland lagging behind rest of the UK in getting dementia diagnosed](https://www.newsletter.co.uk/health/northern-ireland-lagging-behind-rest-of-the-uk-in-getting-dementia-diagnosed-1-9222384) *3 February 2020*

* Londonderry Sentinel: [Northern Ireland lagging behind rest of the UK in getting dementia diagnosed](https://www.londonderrysentinel.co.uk/health/northern-ireland-lagging-behind-rest-of-the-uk-in-getting-dementia-diagnosed-1-9222384) *3 February 2020* 

* Coleraine Times: [Northern Ireland lagging behind rest of the UK in getting dementia diagnosed](https://www.colerainetimes.co.uk/health/northern-ireland-lagging-behind-rest-of-the-uk-in-getting-dementia-diagnosed-1-9222384) *3 February 2020*

* Ballymoney and Moyle Times: [Northern Ireland lagging behind rest of the UK in getting dementia diagnosed](https://www.ballymoneytimes.co.uk/health/northern-ireland-lagging-behind-rest-of-the-uk-in-getting-dementia-diagnosed-1-9222384) *3 February 2020*

* Lurgan Mail: [Northern Ireland lagging behind rest of the UK in getting dementia diagnosed](https://www.lurganmail.co.uk/health/northern-ireland-lagging-behind-rest-of-the-uk-in-getting-dementia-diagnosed-1-9222384) *3 February 2020*

* Banbridge Leader: [Northern Ireland lagging behind rest of the UK in getting dementia diagnosed](https://www.banbridgeleader.co.uk/health/northern-ireland-lagging-behind-rest-of-the-uk-in-getting-dementia-diagnosed-1-9222384) *3 February 2020*

* Carrick Times: [Northern Ireland lagging behind rest of the UK in getting dementia diagnosed](https://www.carrickfergustimes.co.uk/health/northern-ireland-lagging-behind-rest-of-the-uk-in-getting-dementia-diagnosed-1-9222384) *3 February 2020*

* Larne Times: [Northern Ireland lagging behind rest of the UK in getting dementia diagnosed](https://www.larnetimes.co.uk/health/northern-ireland-lagging-behind-rest-of-the-uk-in-getting-dementia-diagnosed-1-9222384) *3 February 2020*

* Newtownabbey Times: [Northern Ireland lagging behind rest of the UK in getting dementia diagnosed](https://www.newtownabbeytoday.co.uk/health/northern-ireland-lagging-behind-rest-of-the-uk-in-getting-dementia-diagnosed-1-9222384) *3 February 2020*

* Mid-Ulster Mail: [Northern Ireland lagging behind rest of the UK in getting dementia diagnosed](https://www.midulstermail.co.uk/health/northern-ireland-lagging-behind-rest-of-the-uk-in-getting-dementia-diagnosed-1-9222384) *3 February 2020*

* Tyrone Times: [Northern Ireland lagging behind rest of the UK in getting dementia diagnosed](https://www.tyronetimes.co.uk/health/northern-ireland-lagging-behind-rest-of-the-uk-in-getting-dementia-diagnosed-1-9222384) *3 February 2020*

* Ballymena & Antrim Times: [Northern Ireland lagging behind rest of the UK in getting dementia diagnosed](https://www.ballymenatimes.com/health/northern-ireland-lagging-behind-rest-of-the-uk-in-getting-dementia-diagnosed-1-9222384) *3 February 2020*

* Ulster Star: [Northern Ireland lagging behind rest of the UK in getting dementia diagnosed](https://www.lisburntoday.co.uk/health/northern-ireland-lagging-behind-rest-of-the-uk-in-getting-dementia-diagnosed-1-9222384) *3 February 2020*

* Derry Journal: [Dementia diagnoses in Western Trust three times higher than average in the North](https://www.derryjournal.com/health/dementia-diagnoses-in-western-trust-three-times-higher-than-average-in-the-north-1-9222683) *4 February 2020*



The story was also used by [BBC London](https://drive.google.com/open?id=1D5vT0V3jcjsSB1SXnr4Me2lSOT_bgW28), [BBC South East Today](https://drive.google.com/open?id=1zsIcur0BCihstDRnmKCV7z20YmDYYSn4), BBC Midlands Today, BBC Radio Nottingham, BBC Radio Kent, BBC Radio York, BBC Radio Shropshire, BBC Radio Leeds and BBC Hereford & Worcester.



## Get the data 



* [Dementia diagnoses across the UK](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1d7ytxfBlHucWl_gWrc2bpyCpxvWJpX95/edit#gid=1232435142)



## Background and briefing



* [A full briefing pack on the story can be found here](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ui5Z_akHjN_S3jHaH92a2ZQ1dW8jGW8A2J626a426B4/edit)



## Scripts



[Tom Bokros's R scripts can be found in his repo here](https://github.com/TomBokros/DementiaInvestigation)