My View: Supporting Dementia UK's New Report Launch

The true measure of a society is how it supports those who are most vulnerable. People living with dementia should always have access to care that is dignified, dependable and centred on what matters most to them. High‑quality palliative and end‑of‑life care is essential for maintaining comfort, supporting informed choices and providing families with stability during difficult moments. Everyone who needs this support deserves to rely on the highest standard of care. Nearly one million people across the United Kingdom are living with dementia, and that number continues to grow. Each person’s experience is different, but what they all need is clear information, consistent post‑diagnostic support and compassionate care throughout every stage of their condition. I therefore welcome our Government’s continued commitment to improving this.

I sympathise deeply with all those affected by dementia, whether facing the condition themselves or caring for a loved one. We must ensure every person with dementia receives high-quality, compassionate care from diagnosis through to the end of life.

I welcome that Ministers have committed to deliver a Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia, complemented by a Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care Modern Service Framework. Together, these will drive rapid and significant improvements in quality of care and productivity.

The Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia will seek to reduce unwarranted variation and narrow inequality for those living with dementia and frailty. It will set national standards for dementia and frailty care and redirect NHS and adult social care priorities to provide the best possible care and support.

Alongside this, the Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care Modern Service Framework will drive improvements in the services patients and their families receive at the end of life, including those living with dementia. It will enable local NHS organisations – known as integrated care boards – to address challenges in access, quality and sustainability through the delivery of high-quality, personalised care.

This Modern Service Framework will put in place a clear and effective mechanism to deliver a fundamental improvement to the care provided. This will enable the adoption of interventions that are proven to make a difference to patients and their families. Examples include earlier identification of need, care delivered closer to home by integrated generalist and specialist teams and strengthened out-of-hours community health support, including dedicated telephone advice.

Our Government is progressing towards a National Care Service based on higher quality of care, greater choice and control, and better join-up between services, with approximately £4.6 billion of additional funding available for adult social care by 2028/29 compared to 2025/26. To build consensus on plans for a National Care Service, Baroness Casey is chairing an independent commission into adult social care to shape the medium- and longer-term reforms needed.