adult screening programme
Dementia
The term “dementia” is used to describe a range of brain diseases. These cause ongoing decline in thinking skills and the ability to carry out everyday activities such as washing and dressing. Dementia becomes more common as people age and it usually affects people over the age of 65
Read more about dementia on the NHS website.
UK NSC screening recommendation Based on the last UK NSC review of this condition that occurred in April 2019.
Screening for dementia is not recommended because:
- there are no screening tests which could find people with dementia before they show symptoms
- there is no evidence that current treatments for dementia are effective
- there is concern about how people diagnosed by screening may be affected by dementia related screening
Supporting documents from the 2019 review
Evidence summary Dementia (2019)
This document provides the evidence on which the current UK NSC recommendation is based.
UK NSC coversheet & consultation responses Dementia (2019)
This document summarises the review process including the public consultation comments.
Review cycle
Date previous review completed: 2019
Next review estimated to be completed: 2022 to 2023.
To see previous evidence reviews, visit the UK NSC archive.
Organisations interested in Dementia
These organisations have expressed interest in this recommendation and may submit responses to evidence reviews.
List of organisations
- Alzheimer's Research UK
- Alzheimer's Society
- Association of British Neurologists
- British Geriatrics Society
- Faculty of Public Health
- Royal College of General Practitioners
- Royal College of Nursing
- Royal College of Physicians
- Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
- Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
- Royal College of Psychiatrists
- The British Psychological Society
If you think your organisation should be added, please contact us. More information for organisation can be found in appendix C of the UK NSC evidence review process.