Nationwide is set to use its national network of branches to offer dementia clinics in a bid to tackle the country’s leading cause of death.

Based in Pipers Way, Swindon, the firm's initiative is expected to support more than 100,000 people living with dementia across 200 branches.

Nationwide is financing 30 Dementia UK admiral nurses to bring specialist health and financial aid to the high street, as well as through the charity’s dedicated helpline.

The clinics will offer free appointments that can be scheduled on set dates for anyone affected by dementia, including family and carers.

They will extend their services to those who are not Nationwide customers.

In-branch dementia services will include both health and financial support, including understanding a dementia diagnosis, worries about symptoms, support on how to best care for someone with dementia, as well as financial and legal issues and emotional support.

Debbie Crosbie, chief executive officer of Nationwide, said: "Nationwide wants to help people live their best life possible, for as long as possible.

"By working with Dementia UK to fund more admiral nurses and turning our branches into dementia clinics, we’re helping to tackle the country’s leading cause of death.

"As a mutual, we work for the good of society as well as our members.

"We believe this and Nationwide Fairer Futures will change hundreds of thousands of lives for the better."

Figures indicate around one million people in the UK are currently living with dementia - a number expected to increase to 1.6 million by 2040.

The annual cost to the economy is projected to rise to £90 billion by 2040.

Dr Hilda Hayo, chief admiral nurse and CEO at Dementia UK, added: "Nationwide’s backing, network and expertise will help us deliver practical and emotional face-to-face support across the country in their branches, helping us bring specialist dementia care to more people than ever through our admiral nurses.

"With the number of people living with dementia in the UK set to exceed one million in the next year, this timely partnership will be crucial as we increase our services and reach to ensure no one faces dementia alone."

This initiative forms part of Nationwide’s new social impact programme, Nationwide Fairer Futures, which addresses dementia, youth homelessness, and family poverty through charity partnerships with Dementia UK, Centrepoint, and Action for Children, in a bid to combat some of the country’s biggest social issues.