People living with dementia and their carers in socio‑economically disadvantaged areas experience significant barriers in accessing and navigating primary care, a new study led by University of Manchester has found.
Poorer communities often face additional difficulties to accessing consistent, proactive and clearly defined dementia support within general practice.
Based on 20 in‑depth interviews with people with dementia and their carers, the researchers highlight how socioeconomic disadvantage adds additional complexity to their healthcare.
Funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR ) School for Primary Care Research, the study is published in the British Journal of General Practice.
Participants were recruited from areas ranked in the lowest two quintiles of the Index of Multiple Deprivation, ensuring that voices often absent from dementia research were highlighted.
The researchers analysed the interviews using reflexive thematic analysis, a qualitative research method used to identify, analyse, and interpret patterns of meaning.
The findings suggest that clearer communication, proactive follow‑up and more consistent relationships with primary care professionals could significantly improve the experiences of people with dementia.
The study also emphasises the need for a clearer definition of primary care’s role in dementia management, particularly as policy discussions increasingly point toward primary care‑led post‑diagnostic support.
Lead researcher Dr Charlotte Morris from The University of Manchester said: “It was a real privilege to interview the people with dementia and the carers for this study, and I’m very grateful to them all.
“Our work shows that people with dementia in disadvantaged areas are navigating a system that often feels fragmented, reactive and unclear, at a time when stability and continuity matter most.”
“By strengthening proactive contact and clarifying who is responsible for dementia care, primary care services can make a profound difference to patients and families.
“Addressing these gaps is essential to ensuring equitable, person‑centred dementia care across the UK.”
