Connected Health drive to deliver 300 dementia champions

More than 300 Health and Social Care Professionals from the statutory, private and third sectors are to be trained in dementia care under the Dementia Together NI project over the next 12 months as a result of the new partnership.

The year-long programme is already more than 80% subscribed with strong demand across Northern Ireland’s health trusts. 

The programme involves five days of intensive training and workshops, blended learning and the implementation of 300 dementia change and improvement projects as part of the practical application of the course.

Ryan Williams, Director of Connected Health, said: “We are absolutely delighted to launch the Dementia Champions Training programme in close partnership with North West Regional College and Age NI. Dementia affects over 850,000 people in the UK with more than 20,000 of those in Northern Ireland. It is also estimated that more than 700,000 people across the UK provide informal care to those with dementia and that only 60% of dementia sufferers have actually been formally diagnosed.

“The programme is designed to attract and engage Health and Social Care Sector stakeholders who deal with dementia sufferers on a daily basis and empower these key personnel to champion positive change in the way the sector responds to the condition,” he added.

Geraldine Lavery, Head of the School of Health and Social Care at North West Regional College, said: “The College has been at the forefront of Health and Social Care training over the last number of years and our expertise in terms of dementia care and education has been developed with a focus on practical learning, working with frontline professionals and harnessing the very best trainers and educators in Northern Ireland.

“We are delighted that this programme has been secured by a North West-based partnership as this is evidence of the skill and expertise being created in this sector at a local level.”

Seamus McErlean, Social Care Commissioning Lead at the Health and Social Care Board, said: “I am delighted take part in the launch of the new Dementia Champions Training programme. A considerable amount of hard work and effort have gone into developing this programme, involving training providers, academics, health and social care staff and people living with a dementia and their carers.

“Advances in technology and medical care over recent years mean that more and more people are living longer and enjoying healthy and fulfilled lives. This is a cause for celebration.

“However, increased life expectancy and the increasing numbers of older people in society are also resulting in increased prevalence in chronic diseases including dementia.

“It is estimated that there are 20,000 people living with a dementia in Northern Ireland and the need for a well-trained and knowledgeable workforce across the whole of health and social care who can respond effectively to the needs of people with a dementia is well recognised.

“This new programme, which is funded by the Executive’s Delivering Social Change initiative and managed through the Dementia Together NI project, will lead to the creation of 300 champions in dementia care across all sectors of health and social services.

“The programme will promote better understanding of the needs of people living with dementia and their carers. It will also equip the participants to become leaders within dementia care who can work to deliver improvements in service.

“This development can only be positive and I want to wish every participant well in their endeavours.”

Applications are being invited for the final places available in the Dementia Champions Training programme. For further information on the programme or to register please contact [email protected] or call 028 71 867620.