The number of people living with dementia across Sussex is continuing to rise.

The latest figures published by the Alzheimer’s Society reveal more than 27,000 people have developed the condition.

Cases are expected to carry on rising over the next decade as the population ages and developments in medical science mean people live longer.

This will have a financial impact in terms of drugs costs and providing care for patients in later stages of the disease.

Nationally, dementia costs about £26.3 billion a year, according to the charity.

The charity’s figures show there are 3,010 cases in Brighton and Hove, 14,148 in West Sussex and 13,303 in East Sussex.

The charity is calling on the Government to ensure more is done to ensure patients and their carers and families get the support to cope financially, practically and emotionally.

Elisa Vaughan, operations officer for Sussex, said: “We know that parts of the country are leading the way as some of the best performing areas for support after diagnosis.

“However, despite good progress, research highlights the huge financial and human impact dementia is having.

“In the UK someone develops dementia every three minutes.”

Chairman of Brighton and Hove City Council’s health and wellbeing board, Rob Jarrett, said dementia had been identified as a priority for the city.

He said the council was working closely with the NHS and other agencies to promote quality of life and dignity for dementia sufferers.

He said: “Brighton and Hove’s approach to dementia is about treating dementia as a long-term condition and aligning many dementia services with physical health services.

“This means providing more care and support in the community to enable people to stay in their own homes.

“It seeks to prevent avoidable hospital admissions and reduce the number of people going to residential care.”

Visit www.alzheimers.org.uk for more information.