In a new collaboration, the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme (CEP) has joined forces with Alzheimer’s Society on a new initiative in dementia care innovation.
This partnership marks a significant step forward, offering practical support to entrepreneurs focused on improving dementia care and support. It is an important collaboration that aims to foster innovation in a crucial area of healthcare, prioritised by the NHS.
Dementia, a pressing global health challenge, affects an estimated 676,000 people in England and 850,000 across the UK*. While it predominantly impacts older individuals, some experience early-onset dementia, posing unique challenges for patients, caregivers, and families. England has approximately 540,000 dementia caregivers, with approximately one in three people expected to care for someone with dementia during their lifetime. The economic impact of dementia stands at an estimated £23 billion annually, which is predicted to triple by 2040.*
The NHS CEP, funded by NHS England and delivered by Anglia Ruskin University, is known for nurturing the talents of healthcare innovators, and this collaboration with Alzheimer’s Society will launch a new “Dementia Innovators Programme” this autumn, which will support both NHS and non-NHS health and social care staff who have ideas that could help improve the lives of people affected by dementia.
The new programme is designed to equip these entrepreneurs with the essential skills, knowledge, and contacts needed to bring their ideas to life and scale them up effectively. Alzheimer’s Society’s deep understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with dementia and their caregivers complements the entrepreneurial acumen fostered by the NHS training programme. Together, the partnership aims to help accelerate the development of innovative solutions to improve dementia care.
Commenting on the partnership Professor Tony Young, Clinical Lead for the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme and National Clinical Lead for Innovation at NHS England says: “This collaboration is a commitment to supporting innovative treatments and support to those living with dementia. We are not only addressing the immediate challenges but also contributing to a future where every individual with dementia can live with dignity and receive the support they deserve.”
The partnership will focus on supporting innovators at every stage of their journey. From the initial spark of an idea to the complex process of scaling a product or service, the combined resources of the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme and Alzheimer’s Society ensure that the innovators will receive the best possible opportunities and support. Entrepreneurs will have access to a network of experts, funding opportunities, and a community of like-minded individuals all striving towards a common goal: improving dementia care.
Fiona Carragher, Chief Policy and Research Officer at Alzheimer’s Society, says: “We’re absolutely delighted to partner with the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme. At Alzheimer’s Society one of our biggest priorities is to find and accelerate the best new and innovative solutions to provide help and hope for people living with dementia. This partnership will help to transform the lives of people affected by dementia by enabling entrepreneurs access to a programme that has supported 1,200 innovators over the past eight years.
Too many people living with dementia face barriers to living a better quality of life without the right tools and support to overcome them. This partnership reaffirms our commitment to improving the lives of people affected by dementia through championing innovation. We’re extremely excited about the possibility that lies ahead.”
Applications for the Dementia Innovators Programme will open on 1st October 2024. Please visit our dedicated Dementia Innovation Programme pages for more information and details of how to apply.
*Reference: NHS England: https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/dementia/