More people with dementia are being rushed to hospital emergency departments in Swindon, according to NHS statistics.

The rate of emergency admissions to hospital for people with dementia in Swindon increased slightly by 1 per cent last year.

More than 1,100 people over the age of 65 and living with dementia in Swindon were admitted to A&E.

Urging people to have their say on how NHS services could be improved for those suffering dementia, Carol Willis of patients' group Swindon Healthwatch said: "With an estimated 1,378 people living with dementia in Swindon, it’s alarming to see so many of these people being admitted to A&E.

"Is this because they have nowhere else to go or that specialist dementia care is simply not available?

"“Our role at Healthwatch is to ensure we gather views both good and bad from members of the public and then pass these on to the decision-making bodies who plan, pay for and run these services."