Simplifying Engagement in Dementia Research in Mental Health Trusts and Community Settings

Project Description
In 2018, the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) in Leeds registered more people with dementia compared to any other CCG in the UK. Here, Holly Taylor, a Research Assistant at Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, shares how Leeds CCG achieved this.

Read the complete case study now.

  • Trying to create a research culture is an ongoing and lengthy process but it is important to be persistent.
  • Develop a personal approach to research engagement and have an individualised approach for different staff groups i.e. memory nurses vs consultants.
  • Find the right meetings to attend to communicate your message.
Research noticeboard at Aire Court Community Unit
Research noticeboard at Aire Court Community Unit

    Bringing a County Together to Champion Join Dementia Research

    Project Description
    The county of Lincolnshire have come together to support people with dementia and their families in getting involved in research. All three of Lincolnshire’s NHS Trusts and Lincolnshire County Council have joined forces and pledged to be a Join Dementia Research champion county.

    Read the full case study below.

    • Ensure you have a strong team leading the initiative
    • Look to engage NHS Trusts and the County Council in the region – drawing on Dementia Strategies
    • Make sure organisations are aware of the Government’s Dementia 2020 Challenge policy
    • Look to keep all organisations engaged by having regular meetings and review progress
    • Invite third sector organisations such as the local Alzheimer’s Society and other charities to be involved in collaborations to champion Join Dementia Research
    • Join Dementia Research can be integrated into existing care pathways, and training and induction programs
    Lincolnshire County Join Dementia Research Champion Team
    Lincolnshire County Join Dementia Research Champion Team
    Championing Research
    Championing Research

      Actively Engaging Trusts to Integrate Research into Care

      Project Description
      Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust identified an opportunity to improve their service by establishing a simple consent system which increases the number of clinicians actively recruiting to studies and enables more patients to be approached to take part in clinical research.

      This was part of a wider campaign to embed and develop a research culture amongst all staff working in older people’s mental health.

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      • You need to get the executive board of the Trust involved
      • It is important to engage all clinical staff in this process
      • Keep it simple to minimise the amount of work that health professionals have to do
        – directing patients to Join Dementia Research allows them to register themselves to the service to express their interest in participating in research
      • Memory Assessment and Research Centre Patient Survey Results

        It was essential that any recruitment strategy has patients and their opinions at the heart of delivery. Here are the results from a local patient survey used to inform that strategy.

      • Memory Assessment and Research Centre Poster and Leaflet

        Poster and leaflets are used in patient areas to help inform patients of the local opportunities and services. These were produced to promote patient and staff engagement with research at MARC. Join Dementia Research materials can also be used.

      • Memory Assessment and Research Centre: Recruitment Strategy

        Having an overarching strategy is essential to remain focussed on delivery, and to ensure you can measure and track success. Detailed here is the study recruitment strategy for the Memory Assessment & Research Centre – Southampton.

      • Memory Research List Letter

        Letter and information provided to patients when joining the local register for research interest.

      • Stakeholder Analysis

        Stakeholder analysis should be done at the start of every project / change to ensure you involve everyone appropriately – it doesn’t have to be complicated. Here is the simple stakeholder analysis used to support delivery and communications.

      • South Coast Dementia Service Mapping

        Understanding local NHS services, patient pathways and organisations is essential. This is a local report which details the outcomes of a review of local NHS dementia services – used to improve understanding of local environment and inform recruitment strategy.

      Hear About the Project