Dementia services and support

Research shows there are more than 944,000 people in the UK who have dementia. 1 in 11 people over the age of 65 have dementia in the UK. The number of people with dementia is increasing because people are living longer. It is estimated that by 2030, the number of people with dementia in the UK will be more than 1 million. What is dementia – NHS

The Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England includes a move towards prevention, not just treatment — and that’s great news for brain health. 

We know that up to 45% of global dementia cases could be prevented by addressing certain risk factors — things like smoking, high blood pressure, hearing loss, poor diet and physical inactivity. But despite this, dementia prevention hasn’t always had the attention it deserves. Addressing 14 health and lifestyle factors could prevent nearly half of global dementia cases – Alzheimer’s Research UK

Key objectives for dementia:

• Timely diagnosis: A core mandate is to reduce waiting times for diagnosis, with a target of 6 weeks from GP referral to diagnosis. 
• Improved post-diagnostic support: Providing comprehensive and tailored support for individuals with dementia and their carers is crucial. This includes access to treatment, psychosocial interventions, and practical support. 
• Increased diagnosis rates: The national target is to ensure that two-thirds of people with dementia have a formal diagnosis. 

Support and resources

Memory assessment services are available in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent for diagnosis and support.

Memory Assessment Service for North Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent residents, provided by North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust (NSCHT)

Referrals via either Eaves Memory Clinic – 0300 123 0893 – or Lyme Brook Centre Memory Clinic – 01782 831130 (Option 1).

Eligibility criteria

1. All referrals accepted and triaged
2. Signposting/onward referral to alternative service appropriate to the service user needs.

Referrals accepted from:

Individuals can be referred to the service by their GP or other healthcare professionals.

Memory Assessment Service for South Staffordshire residents provided by Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT)

Referrals via the South Staffordshire Mental Health & Social Inclusion Hub, Telephone: 0808 196 3002, email: mhsi.staffordshire@mpft.nhs.uk

Eligibility criteria

1. All referrals accepted and triaged
2. Signposting/onward referral to alternative service appropriate to the service user needs.

Referrals accepted from:

Individuals can be referred to the service by their GP or other healthcare professionals.

Memory Support Service for all residents of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, provided by Alzheimer’s Society

Referrals via the dementia support line – please call: 0333 150 3456. All referrals received to the memory assessment service will automatically be passed to Alzheimer’s Society for ongoing post-diagnostic support.

Eligibility criteria

1. The Memory Support Service will be an opt out service and all patients already diagnosed and newly diagnosed will expect to be contacted by the service unless otherwise indicated.

2. Referrals for newly diagnosed patients will be from the memory clinic by attending the post diagnostic clinics. 

Referrals accepted from:

Referrals will be accepted from GPs and primary care staff, care home staff, hospital therapy and discharge teams, ICB care home pharmacists and other community health, social care professionals and self-referral. 

Diagnosis rates

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB) is ranked 3rd of the highest dementia diagnosis rates (DDR) across England (October 2024). Fingertips | Department of Health and Social Care

In June 2025 the diagnosis rate for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB was 72.8% against a target of 66.7%.

Other resources and services available for people living with dementia and their carers

Stoke-on-Trent City Council What support can I get for dementia? | What support can I get for dementia? | Stoke-on-Trent

Staffordshire County Council (Staffordshire Connects) Staffordshire Connects | Listings in Dementia

Alzheimer’s Society https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/find-support-near-you

Douglas Macmillan Hospice Approach Staffordshire – Dementia Support for those in need of assistance

Asist Advocacy ASIST

North Staffs Carers Welcome | north-staffs-carers

Potteries Helping Hands Dementia Group Potteries Helping Hands Dementia Group – DEEP

Singing for the Brain Singing for the Brain | Alzheimer’s Society

There is also a Dementia Network Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Facebook web page which details groups and events in the area https://www.facebook.com/dementianetworkstaffsandsot