Training One of our main objectives is to provide training.

People are becoming more and more aware of dementia as it affects more people, but we still believe that many people would benefit from an increased awareness of what dementia is and how it affects people.

We have organised and delivered training courses for Nursing Homes, medical students and other health professionals. We want people to understand that something over and above "the effects of old age". We want health professionals to have a greater understanding of how dementia affects families, and to be aware of how much ongoing support can help.

We also offer free training to GPs and practice staff. Funding is available to GPs under the contractual details of the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) for setting up a dementia register. A register can help GPs to plan and organise the services they provide to people with dementia, and this in turn can help improve people's lives at the Primary Care level. If you are a GP or Practice Manager interested in taking advantage of this, please call us at the branch.

We have been involved in setting up Young-Onset Dementia training courses for people under 65 who have been recently diagnosed with dementia. We believe it makes things easier in the later stages if people obtain help and assistance in the very early stages.

We are also involved with Dementia Special Interest Groups. The first of these begins in March 2007, and gives professionals working with dementia the chance to improve their knowledge around the subject of dementia and dementia care. We are hoping to involve speakers with an in-depth understanding of dementia such as Consultants, Community Health specialists and others. If you are a health and social care professional, and would like to find out details of the sessions we are planning to run, please give us a ring at the branch.