Alzheimer’s Society has awarded £2 million to a research project designed to tackle healthcare inequalities and improve access to care for people living with dementia in the UK.

The news, announced by the Minister of State for Care at the charity’s annual conference in London, comes after a report from the Office of Health Economics highlighted 110 healthcare inequalities faced by people living with dementia.

Around one million people are living with dementia in the UK and over a third do not have a diagnosis so cannot access the support, care and treatments they need, according to Alzheimer’s Society.

The research project, led by Professor Claudia Cooper and Jessica Budgett from Queen Mary University of London, aims to ensure that good quality, evidence-based care is available routinely in the UK, starting with areas with the highest needs.

The team will explore how the programme, titled GRACE, can support people living with dementia in areas which have among the worst national levels of health inequalities, working initially in Belfast, Humber and North Yorkshire, North-East London, and Kent and Medway, an uncover unique barriers they face when seeking support.

Professor Fiona Carragher, Chief Policy and Research Officer at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “Alzheimer’s Society has brought together decision makers from Government, the NHS and local authorities to discuss how we can do better. No one must be left behind.

“That’s why we’re funding research like the GRACE programme, which will bring much-needed support to underserved communities that historically haven’t had easy access to good dementia care. We must continue to work together to tackle health inequalities barriers. It will take a society to succeed.”

Stephen Kinnock, Minister of State for Care, said: “The government remains committed to shifting the dial on diagnosis and we’ve already stopped the downward trajectory on diagnosis rates. Our Modern Service Framework for Dementia will seek to end unwarranted variation in care, putting a floor in and making access to care fairer.

“I know none of us will rest until everyone in our country with dementia is diagnosed on time. This is a once in a generation chance to transcend party politics to build cross-party support. Social care is too important to be used as a political football. Let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work.”

The GRACE project follows on from the New Interventions for Independence in Dementia (NIDUS) Family programme, also led by Professor Cooper, which arms family carers with information and strategies to help their loved ones live independently at home for as long as possible.

Professor Cooper said: “This opportunity to roll out our suite of psychological support programmes to people with dementia and their families living in some of the most deprived areas, where health inequalities are highest, is so important.

“It is a huge challenge, but working alongside Alzheimer's Society, people affected by dementia and the NHS, we can transform how family carers and people with dementia receive support after a diagnosis. My grandmother died with dementia - we were very close and caring for her has been an experience I have drawn on in this work.”