HSE West and North West showcase Quality Improvements at Inaugural Dementia Conference

The first HSE West and North West Dementia Conference took place in Galway in April in partnership with University of Galway, Ireland. The conference was chaired by Paula Noone, Assistant Director of Nursing for Dementia Quality Improvement, HSE West and North West and Dr Maria Costello, Consultant Geriatrician, University Hospital Galway and Senior Lecturer in Geriatric Medicine, University of Galway.

Dementia is a major and escalating public health challenge in Ireland, with a rising number of diagnoses largely driven by the country’s aging population. There is also a notable rise in the number of individuals diagnosed with early-onset dementia (under the age of 65). The number of people living with dementia is expected to increase significantly, with projections indicating that by 2045, over 150,000 individuals will be affected nationally. Currently over 12,000 individuals are estimated to be living across the West and North West with dementia, according to the 2022 census.

Dr Costello stated: "The goal of this conference was to bring together health professionals from across the region to learn, network, and inspire one another, fostering collaboration and shared knowledge to support their vital work with people living with dementia. The event also underscored the crucial role of academic partnerships in advancing research and education to drive innovation and excellence in the field."

The opening address to the conference was delivered by Ann Cosgrove, Integrated Healthcare Area Manager Galway and Roscommon, who opened the conference by stating: “I’m delighted to see such a diverse range of healthcare professionals here today to share their knowledge and expertise in this field. This is the first Dementia Conference for the West and North West and it marks the beginning of renewed collaboration and emphasis on dementia care and explores how we best deliver it across the acute and community settings.”

The event brought together over 170 healthcare professionals from diverse sectors, all working to enhance care for individuals affected by dementia. Patient representative groups and key support organisations were also present. There were a number of presentations on the day from across the region focusing on clinical services, research, quality improvement initiatives and emerging treatments for dementia. The experiences of individuals and families affected by dementia were also highlighted, with the voice of carers featuring throughout the discussions.

Awards were presented at the conference to three teams in recognition of their work in dementia, which had been submitted for adjudication.

1st prize: Psychiatry of Later Life Team, Roscommon Mental Health Service
2nd prize: Integrated Care for Older Persons Service, Galway East City and County
3rd prize: Psychiatry of Old Age Service, Sligo Leitrim Mental Health Service

Joanne Gallagher, Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Psychiatry of Later Life in Roscommon Mental Health Services was awarded first prize for the team poster presentation at the conference. Expressing her gratitude she said: “I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of myself and Occupational Therapist Abiola de Mojeed. I would like to thank the wider team for their encouragement and support throughout this process and the Nursing and Midwifery Planning Development Unit (NMPDU) for funding this initiative. The team designed an educational application to support staff working with individuals living with dementia in long term care settings. The app provides quick access to evidence based strategies for managing non-cognitive symptoms of dementia. We are delighted to showcase our initiative at the Dementia Conference and share the learnings with colleagues.”

Dr Seán O'Dowd, Consultant Neurologist, Clinical lead for the National Dementia Office attended the event and gave a keynote speech on the day. He commented: “It was hugely powerful to see the commitment in the room from those working in the West and North West, and the passion to make things better for those affected by these diseases and their families. HSE National Dementia Services will continue to advocate for further resourcing to ensure equitable access and care across the spectrum from earliest symptoms to advanced need.”