Publication, Part of Primary Care Dementia Data
Primary Care Dementia Data, February 2026
Official statistics
Summary
NHS England collect and publish data about people with dementia at each GP practice in England, to enable NHS GPs and commissioners to make informed choices about how to plan their dementia services around patients’ needs.
The publication includes the rate of dementia diagnosis. As not everyone with dementia has a formal diagnosis, this statistic compares the number of people thought to have dementia with the number of people diagnosed with dementia, aged 65 and over. Where current monthly data for a GP practice is unavailable, the most recent data available are used (up to a maximum of 6 months).
Prior to October 2022, dementia data were collected via the dementia data core contract service and published as the "Recorded Dementia Diagnoses" series. The data in these two publication series are not comparable. This is due to the retrospective application of codes to patient records and changes in patient registration, as well as differences in coverage and the specification of several counts.
Refer to the ‘Related Links’ for the supporting information page where details on these changes can be found.
Key Facts
Recorded dementia diagnosis
510,339 patients had a recorded diagnosis of dementia on 28 February 2026, an increase of 174 patients since 31 January 2026.
Diagnosis rate in those aged 65 and over
66.1% of patients aged 65 or over who are estimated to have dementia, had a recorded diagnosis of dementia on 28 February 2026, equal to 66.1% on 31 January 2026.
Care plan or care plan review
369,635 (72.4%) of those with a recorded diagnosis of dementia on 28 February 2026 received a care plan or care plan review in the preceding 12 months.
Medication reviews
273,800 (53.7%) of those with a recorded diagnosis of dementia on 28 February 2026, who had received a dementia care plan or care plan review in the preceding 12 months have received a medication review since 1 April 2025.
Young onset dementia
34,470 (6.8%) of those with a recorded diagnosis of dementia on 28 February 2026 received their diagnosis before the age of 65.
Resources
Last edited: 7 April 2026 3:35 pm