Network encouraging care homes to get involved in dementia research expands across Scotland

The Scottish Dementia Clinical Research Network is embarking on a programme of work to extend the Research Ready Care Home Network across Scotland.

The Scottish Dementia Clinical Research Network (SDCRN), funded by the Scottish Government to build a network of staff and researchers across Scotland, has been supporting dementia research for over four years.

It works to increase the number of people with dementia and care workers in clinical studies.

Two-thirds of residents in care homes in Britain have some form of dementia and more research is needed to improve their treatment and care.

The SDCRN has now joined up with Enabling Research in Care Homes (ENRICH) programme run by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Dementia & Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Network (DeNDRoN).

There are around 1,500 care homes in Scotland providing homes to around 44,000 residents and this new development will provide improved access to research for care homes and residents and support researchers looking to develop studies in this area.

Emma Law, SDCRN manager said “There are around 84,000 people living with dementia in Scotland, and care homes play an important role in supporting people to live well with dementia. We want to extend to Research Ready Care Home Network across all 14 health board regions– to support not only dementia research, but all diseases and researchers working with older people.”

Adam Smith, ENRICH programme manager called it a “great development” and said: “We are committed to extending the network across all the UK. This collaboration will allow us to learn from each other, and spread best practice and allow care home residents to become better represented in both clinical and social care research.”

Dr Peter Connelly, co-director of the SDCRN said “The media often convey a very negative image of care homes. Staff, residents and their families can be very enthusiastic about how the care and treatment of people in care homes can be improved, particularly for those with dementia. ENRICH provides an opportunity for many more people to be involved in research than at present.”

The ENRICH toolkit has been specifically developed by DeNDRoN to support systems and structures in England, however the overall approach and lessons are the same and applicable to both countries.

The Research Ready Care Home section of the website and application form is now open for use in Scotland, and care homes across all 14 health board areas are encouraged to register at www.dendron.nihr.ac.uk/enrich For more information contact Emma Law, SDCRN manager at contact-us@sdcrn.org.uk or visit the website at www.dendron.nihr.ac.uk/enrich