The Alzheimer’s Society, which obtained the figures, said they meant that more than half

of everyone in England with dementia had been admitted to hospital at least once – and
sometimes many times – during 2017/18.

“This is the stark reality of many people with dementia left to fall through the cracks in our
broken social care system,” said Jeremy Hughes, the chief executive.

Falls, dehydration and infections are thought to be the commonest reasons for those with the
condition ending up in hospital overnight. Hughes blamed the spike in admissions on social care
– support for people at home or in care homes – being “scarce, inadequate and costly”.

The 100,000 extra admissions are costing the NHS £280m a year, the Alzheimer’s Society has
calculated.

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Figures it collated from the NHS’s hospital episodes statistics data collection system also
showed that the number of people with dementia who spend at least a month in hospital topped
40,000 in 2017/18, at a cost of £165m.

“People with dementia are all too often being dumped in hospital and left there for long stays.
Many are only admitted because there’s no social care support to keep them safe at home.
They are commonly spending twice as long in hospital as needed, confused and scared,” added
Hughes.

Last modified: 11:48 AM