WALES has the lowest diagnosis rate for dementia in the UK, at almost 39 per cent, meaning almost 28,000 people here may be living with the condition undiagnosed, according to new figures.

The annual Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) results also show that the diagnosis rate in Wales has improved only a fraction, up 0.3 per cent during 2013.

The Alzheimer’s Society is now calling on health and social care bodies across Wales to set dementia as a local priority and for best practice to be shared.

It also wants wider society to help make their community more dementia supportive in order to reduce stigma and ensure people with dementia are supported and feel included.

"Over 45,000 people in Wales face daily challenges whilst living with dementia. It’s disgraceful to think nearly two thirds of them have an added fight, to get a diagnosis," said Sue Phelps, director of the Alzheimer’s Society in Wales.

"The fact that people are left struggling with uncertainty and no support for months is simply unacceptable. A diagnosis opens the door to an invaluable helping hand that can enable people with dementia to live a good quality of life and plan for the future."

In Gwent, 3,212 people have a dementia diagnosis, according to the latest QOF figures, which are based on patients registered with GPs.