The latest NHS data showed that 487,432 individuals in England were diagnosed with dementia in June, the highest since the start of the pandemic.
Although dementia diagnosis rates have reached 65 per cent, the NHS still aims to meet its target of diagnosing 66.7 per cent of the estimated total number of
people living with a form of the disease.
NHS stated that their staff across the country are actively assessing care home residents to identify more individuals who may have dementia.
Dr. Jeremy Isaacs, National Clinical Director for Dementia at NHS England, praised the efforts of NHS staff in increasing diagnosis rates but acknowledged that
more work is needed.
"Getting a diagnosis of dementia is the first step in supporting people, with a wide range of NHS services able to help.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting reiterated his commitment to reducing NHS waiting lists during his visit to Frimley Health NHS Foundation
Trust's Heatherwood Hospital in Ascot on Friday.
Streeting toured the Berkshire hospital, which is helping tackle backlogs of planned operations with dedicated surgical services, thereby cutting local waiting lists.
The health secretary spoke to staff and patients at the hospital before meeting regional health representatives to discuss the issues facing services at a town
hall event.
His visit follows his recent call for an independent investigation into the NHS, pledging to be honest about the state of the health service and serious about
fixing it.
"The NHS is broken. Millions of patients are waiting too long for treatment, often in pain and discomfort," Streeting said.