Sutton Council has approved a new joint dementia strategy with a strong emphasis on prevention, aiming to reduce avoidable dementia cases in the borough. The strategy aims to address the growing concern around dementia, highlighted by a recent survey indicating that half of UK adults fear developing the condition1.

The Sutton Health and Wellbeing Board approved the strategy at its meeting on Monday, 7 July 2025. The strategy, developed in collaboration with partners, stakeholders, and individuals with lived experience, outlines six key priorities for improving the lives of people living with dementia and their carers. The board has agreed to receive an annual update on the strategy's progress.

Councillor Barry Lewis, Leader of the Council, emphasised the importance of treating individuals with dementia with sympathy and care, noting that the strategy is really, really important.

The six key priorities of the strategy are:

  • Preventing well - aiming to avoid 45% of dementia cases
  • Diagnosing and living well - ensuring timely diagnosis and support
  • Caring well - supporting carers
  • Promoting a dementia-friendly borough and reducing social isolation
  • Dying well - supporting choices, preferences, and wishes that shape end-of-life care
  • Commissioning requirements and implications - working together to ensure the best outcomes with available resources

Diagram showing potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia across the lifespan
Diagram showing potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia across the lifespanSource: Health and Wellbeing Board papers, 7 July 2025

David Millen, lead commissioner and report author, highlighted that 45% of dementia incidence is avoidable through a range of general health improvements, lifestyle changes, and behaviours. He also noted the broad community support for the strategy, including voluntary sector, charity, and faith partners.

The strategy includes a high-level delivery plan that will be further developed with stakeholders. A key component of the strategy is the new Dementia Hub, which aims to provide improved navigation and support for individuals with dementia and their carers. The hub is a joint commissioned arrangement between the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and the local authority.

Councillor Jane Pascoe, Vice Chair: Sutton South, Cheam and Belmont Local Committee, highlighted the Sutton Dementia Action Alliance launched in 2015 and enquired about the location of the Dementia Hub. It was clarified that the Dementia Hub has a virtual presence and a physical space next to the memory assessment clinic at 671 London Road. The virtual programme is complemented by a physical presence at the Dementia Memory Clinic on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, ensuring accessibility for individuals who are not digitally literate or do not have access to technology.

Michelle Blagrove from Age UK Sutton clarified that the Dementia Hub is primarily a virtual programme, but there is a physical presence at the Dementia Memory Clinic on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Chris Williams, former councillor, shared his personal experience of being diagnosed with Alzheimer's and emphasised the importance of treating everyone differently and avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach.

David Steele, a local resident diagnosed with Alzheimer's, raised concerns about the difficulty of transferring his care to Kingston to be closer to his daughter. Helen Bailey, Chief Executive London Borough of Sutton, acknowledged the pressure on accommodation and the difficulty in helping people plan for the future in this way, but Sandra Howard, Director, Adult Social Care and Safeguarding, committed to having conversations with partners to see how things can be improved.

Councillor Marian James, Chair: People Committee, welcomed the strategy and the involvement of people with lived experience. She also pointed out an inconsistency in the report, with six key priorities listed on page 10 and five on page 21, and suggested more detail on promoting a dementia-friendly borough. The board discussed adding more detail on promoting a dementia-friendly borough to the report. Councillor Pascoe noted that the Sutton Dementia Action Alliance was launched in 2015. The strategy also outlines six key priorities, one of which is 'Promoting a dementia-friendly borough and reducing social isolation'.

The board agreed to receive an annual update on the strategy's progress.

  1. A recent survey indicated that half of UK adults fear developing dementia, reflecting findings from 2021. Charts showing public perception of dementia as a health concern ↩