DAVID CAMERON yesterday condemned the failure to treat the growing number of victims of dementia across the region as a “scandal”.

The Prime Minister highlighted figures suggesting more than 20,000 sufferers in the North-East and North Yorkshire – more than half the total number – had not even been diagnosed.

A “postcode lottery” meant 55 per cent of sufferers were diagnosed in Darlington, but far fewer in Stockton (39.2 per cent), North Yorkshire (40.7 per cent), Redcar and Cleveland (42.8 per cent) and Hartlepool (42.9 per cent).

Demanding a “dramatic increase”, he pledged to introduce the first nationwide NHS screening programme, as well as doubling spending on dementia research from £26.6m in 2010, to £66m by 2015.

Screening for early signs of dementia will be introduced as part of routine checks offered to people aged 40 to 74 in GP surgeries, while over-75s admitted to hospital will undergo memory and mental capacity tests.

“The level of diagnosis, understanding and awareness of dementia is shockingly low,” said Mr Cameron.

“We’ve got to treat this like the national crisis it is. We need an all-out fight-back against this disease.”

Meanwhile, nearly three quarters (73 per cent) of people in the North-East feel society is not geared up to deal with dementia, according to a report by the Alzheimer’s Society.

Caroline Burden, the society’s North-East manager, said: “There are more than 32,000 people living with dementia in the North-East most of whom want to remain independent and engaged in their communities.

“Although much is being done to improve services, too many people with dementia are struggling to get support and are left battling depression, loneliness or anxiety.

“This is unacceptable. People with dementia should not be abandoned to a life of mere existence.

“For the first time, a British Prime Minister is leading a call for action. This could be a turning point in our fight against dementia.”

But town hall chiefs – while welcoming the announcement – urged the Prime Minister to face the “very real crisis” facing cash-strapped local authorities.

David Rogers, of the Local Government Association’s community wellbeing board, said: “Without fundamental reform and sufficient funding, we risk losing the public’s trust and confidence in our ability to do the best for people in later life.”

Last night, Durham County Council denied a report in The Times that it was among a number of authorities still imposing a 15-minute limit for carers to carry out such tasks as washing, dressing or feeding dementia sufferers still living at home.

Nick Whitton, head of commissioning in the council’s adults, wellbeing and health department, said: “Home care services are delivered to meet the assessed needs of the individual.

“While some people may only need a 15-minute visit, the majority of people will receive longer visits. The council does not operate a charge- by-the-minute policy.”

Darlington Borough Council said it commissioned care packages taking the individual’s needs into account and that a minimum visit would last 30 minutes. North Yorkshire County Council said a 15-minute limit would only be allocated if the task could be completed in that time, if it was more challenging or demanding, then more time would be allowed.

The Alzheimer’s Society say there are 800,000 people with dementia in the UK, cared for by an estimated 670,000 family and friends.

The number of sufferers is expected to top one million during the next decade, while the annual cost to the NHS rises from £23bn to £27bn, by 2018.

Mr Cameron challenged primary care trusts (PCTs) to achieve the same diagnosis rate as the best areas, which included Belfast (70 per cent) and Sheffield (57 per cent).

He added: “You can help people live independently for longer – even put the brakes on their decline.

“In England, we’ve got neighbouring areas with massively different rates. “ But yesterday’s figures, published by the Department of Health, showed the diagnosis rate fell by 0.9 per cent in Stockton between 2010 and 2011. However, other PCTs achieved significant improvements last year, including Redcar and Cleveland (4.8 per cent) and Hartlepool (4.2 per cent).