Government launches new dementia awareness campaign

The government has launched a new campaign aimed at raising awareness of the early signs and symptoms of dementia.

Around two million pounds is being allocated by the coalition to finance the scheme, which will target the friends and families of those most at risk of suffering dementia, with the aim of encouraging them to have their symptoms checked out by a GP.

The campaign will include TV, radio and print advertisements and follows a successful pilot scheme in the North West and Yorkshire and Humber NHS regions in March 2011.

According to the Department of Health, six in ten people with dementia currently go undiagnosed, which could be creating unnecessary costs for health services.

Care services minister Paul Burstow said: "If we are worried, the sooner we discuss it and help the person seek support the better … Being diagnosed with dementia won't make the condition worse, but leaving it untreated will."

This comes after a cash injection of ten million pounds was announced for NHS Memory Services in September 2011.