According to Health and Social Care Information Center (HSCIC), provisional figures show 344,000 patients in the U.K. had a recorded diagnosis of dementia in 2013-2014. This is a rise from 319,000 in 2012-2013 and from 213,000 in 2006-2007, when the data was first collected.

Quality Outcomes Framework, Recorded Dementia Diagnoses—2013-14, Provisional Statistics, shows the increase in recorded diagnosis has been steady since this data was first collected. The rise may be due to the aging population, an increase in the number of people being diagnosed, improved recording of diagnoses or a combination of factors.

The report also shows:

• The percentage of registered patients with a recorded diagnosis of dementia (prevalence rate) has increased in all four NHS regions of England between 2012-2013 and 2013-2014
• There is regional variation in the level of recorded diagnosis, with the North and South having the highest levels at 0.68% and 0.67%, the Midlands and East of England at 0.62% and London, with its different age profile notably lower at 0.39%
• Looking at variation in the level of recorded diagnosis by Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), the CCG with the highest level at March 2014 was the Isle of Wight at 1.1%; where 46.4% of all patients registered with GPs are aged 50 and over. The lowest recorded level was in Tower Hamlets CCG, at 0.25% where 15.5% of all patients are 50 or over.

The provisional 2013-14 data has been produced to assist the monitoring of progress toward objectives, including the Department of Health's ambition of increasing the proportion of people with dementia who have a recorded diagnosis so that they can receive the appropriate care and support.

Kingsley Manning, HSCIC chair, said,"We are all aware of the challenges facing our aging population and these figures will be vital for those planning and monitoring the effectiveness of dementia treatments and services."