THERE are an estimated 10,000 people living with dementia in Greater Bristol – and that figure is expected to triple in the next 50 years.

But the fear is that there could be thousands of people in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire who have not been diagnosed.

Despite this, significant progress is being made in improving services for dementia sufferers and their carers, according to health chiefs.

NHS South West says the area is taking the lead in driving forward improvements in dementia care, as it aims to deliver the requirements of the National Dementia Strategy ahead of the national, five-year timetable.

And that message has been backed by the Alzheimer's Society during Dementia Awareness Week.

The charity says it is pleased with the advances that have been made since the launch of the Dementia Awareness campaign last year. The campaign, supported by the Evening Post and its parent company Northcliffe, was unveiled last year by local councils, NHS Primary Care Trusts and the SWSHA, along with the Alzheimer's Society.

The organisations, which have formed the South West Dementia Partnership, aim to raise awareness of the condition, dispel the myths surrounding it, improve diagnosis and care and ensure that people with dementia and their carers can get the vital support they need.

Richard Lyle, programme director for urgent care and older people at NHS Bristol, said they are doing all they can to find a diagnosis for more than 2,000 undiagnosed cases in the city.

He said some people may not want to admit to themselves that symptoms they are suffering could be a sign of the disease.

Mr Lyle said: "Unfortunately there is still a lot of stigma around dementia plus widespread lack of awareness about its causes and how people can be supported.

"This can put people off getting the right help and so also create a barrier to early diagnosis. We are working with the council, local charities and other community groups on a plan of action to raise awareness levels and make sure the right level of care and support is available.

"Dementia affects a lot of families in Bristol and most of us will know someone who has had or has the illness. We want to make sure that anyone worried about their memory gets checked out earlier rather than later. The good news is that if people get diagnosed in time there are a range of support and treatments options available from medication to just having someone to talk to turn to for advice."

In the South West, there are estimated to be some 76,000 people living with dementia and experts project that this figure will rise to more than 91,000.

Debbie Donnison, South West area manager for the Alzheimer's Society, said: "In the South West we have seen real progress. However, there is still work to be done to ensure people with dementia and their carers receive the quality care and support they need to live well with dementia.

"One in three people over 65 will die with dementia. The South West Dementia Partnership must continue to lead the way and work together to end the postcode lottery of service provision that many people with dementia currently face."

Sir Ian Carruthers, OBE, chief executive of NHS South West, said: "A clear picture is emerging of how services can be improved and we are committed to ensuring that the South West leads the way in delivering the improvements that people living with dementia rightly expect and deserve."

NHS Bristol will have a stall set up in the centre of Broadmead tomorrow, staffed by members of the memory service and community mental health team to help advise people who may have concerns about themselves or relatives.

People with concerns can visit their GP or contact a dementia advisor for more information on 0117 961 0693

For information on work across the region to improve the experience of people living with dementia, and people supporting them, visit www.south westdementiapartnership.org. uk.