First regional dementia awareness training is announced
A dementia awareness eLearning programme is now available for all Health & Social Care staff across Northern Ireland.
The training, which is being formally launched on Dementia Action Week, is also open to those working within both the independent and community & voluntary sectors (C&V) who are in contact with service users with dementia.
One elderly person in every three now dies due to the effects of dementia.
It is the first regional dementia training of its kind and its aim is to increase awareness and deepen understanding of the experiences of those with the condition. The training provides guidance on supporting a person living with dementia.
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: “I am delighted to announce this training as we begin Dementia Action Week.
“My Department is committed to providing high-quality training for all staff, including for those working directly with people living with dementia across a range of care settings.
“Northern Ireland is estimated to have at least 25,000 people currently living with dementia, and that number is projected to rise to 43,000 people by 2040. Northern Ireland is also projected to have the highest prevalence dementia rate compared to its UK counterparts.
“Ensuring that staff are equipped with the correct training to care appropriately for those with dementia is therefore of paramount importance.
“The eLearning awareness module offers guidance on how to effectively support individuals living with dementia and helps staff enhance the quality of care provided to them and their carers, whether in hospital, at home, or within care facilities.”
The programme was created by the HSC Clinical Education Centre (CEC) in collaboration with the Regional Dementia Project Board for Northern Ireland, Health and Social Care staff, people with dementia, the C&V sector, Queen’s University and Ulster University.
The Department of Health has also funded the development of specialist dementia relationship training to enhance knowledge, change attitudes and inform practice of health and social care staff ensuring a person centered and rights-based approach with people living with dementia.
This is an e-learning resource developed through Queen’s University and supported by a number of stakeholders, including HSC Trusts and the C&V sector.
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The Regional Dementia Care Pathway 2018 sets out a service model to support the delivery of high-quality dementia care across Northern Ireland. The Department of Health established a Regional Dementia Project Board in May 2024 in order to bring a sharpened focus on improvement in dementia care and services across the region.
The Dementia Project Board has an Education, Training and Research workstream which is supporting the delivery of this training across the workforce and organisations. The content of the training programme will be kept under review to ensure it remains fit for purpose.
HSC staff can access the Dementia Awareness Training here.
Staff from the independent and C&V sectors can access it via https://cec.hscni.net/learningcontent/dementia-tier-1/
The dementia relationship training can be accessed here https://dementiarelationships.org.uk/
