16/06/2026
The BGS is hosting a webinar about the National Audit of Dementia and Service Mapping Exercise. The webinar takes place on 23 July 2026 (13:00-14:00) and will be free for BGS members. Clinical leads for the survey, Professor Emma Vardy and Dr Charlotte Deasy, join us as speakers alongside Chloe Hood, Programme Manager at The Royal College of Psychiatrists. Find out more and register: https://www.bgs.org.uk/26NAD
In 2025, The National Audit of Dementia conducted a survey of memory assessment services in England, Wales and Jersey. The report highlighted continuing demand for services, increase in waiting times, and wide variation in service staffing, specific diagnoses, and post diagnostic provision.
👥 - Demand: Analysis of figures provided by services found approximately 2 referrals for every 1,000 people in the catchment population.
🕑 - Waiting time: The median waiting time from referral to diagnosis has increased by 5 days to 137 days since the 2023 spotlight audit, despite low staff vacancies reported.
📊 - Variation in provision and model: There was great variation in staffing numbers and roles, and in services provision, with 23% of services not providing Cognitive Stimulation Therapy post-diagnosis. There continues to be wide variation in diagnoses at a service level, compounded by many services being unable to return data on diagnoses.
👨⚕️ - Staffing and joint working: Services reported low clinical vacancy rates overall. Over half reported joint working with neurology and geriatric medicine to enhance the diagnostic process.
The full report can be found on our website:https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/docs/default-source/improving-care/ccqi/national-clinical-audits/national-audit-of-dementia/nad-round-7-(2025-2027)/nad-survey-of-memory-assessment-services-2025-report/nad-survey-of-memory-assessment-services-2025-report.pdf
