UCLH clinicians and researchers at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN) have appeared in a video to promote Join Dementia Research, a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) service which allows people to register their interest in participating in dementia research and be matched with suitable studies.
The video is part of a new online awareness tool to encourage NHS staff to signpost dementia patients and their families and carers to the service.
It features Professor Martin Rossor, Consultant Neurologist at the NHNN as well as the NIHR National Director for Dementia Research, Dr Cath Mummery, Consultant Neurologist at the NHNN and Ally Quinn, Clinical Research Nurse at the NHNN.
Dr Lakshini Mendis at the Office of the NIHR National Director for Dementia Research, who helped develop the awareness tool, said: “We encourage all NHS staff who come into contact with dementia patients to take a few minutes to work through the awareness tool and find out more about how they can help direct people to the service.
“Letting patients know about research means healthcare professionals can offer something positive as part of the care they provide, and we know that patients who take part in research can develop a sense of empowerment and consider it a chance to help other people with the condition.”
The National Institute for Health Research wants all people who are newly diagnosed with dementia to receive information about Join Dementia Research, with an aim of having 25% of people with dementia registered with JDR by 2020. At present just over 1% are registered.
Visit the NIHR website to view the online awareness tool.
Questions about the tool can be sent to admin.nddr@nihr.ac.uk.
