Scotland’s leading dementia projects recognised as 2019 awards shortlist announced
By News Scotland, , , , ,

The finalists of the eighth annual Scotland’s Dementia Awards have been announced.

The awards, which are a partnership between Alzheimer Scotland, NHS Education for Scotland and the Scottish Social services Council (SSSC), recognise the dedication to supporting people living with dementia, their families and carers.

Rigorously judged by a panel of social service, third sector and health professionals, alongside people living with dementia and carers, the Awards celebrate the inspirational achievements of those outstanding people making a difference to support people living with dementia, their families and carers across health, social service and community settings.

With five categories, Scotland’s Dementia Awards recognise the innovative and ambitious projects making a difference to people living with dementia, including: Best Dementia Friendly Community Initiative, Best Community Support Initiative, Best Educational Initiative, Best Hospital Care Initiative and Best Care Home Practice Improvement.

Scotland’s Dementia Awards 2019 finalists are: 

Best Dementia Friendly Community Initiative

  • Musical Memories Springburn
  • Woodland Activity Programme, Forestry & Land Scotland and Scottish Forestry
  • Try Something New group, a partnership project with Alzheimer Scotland and West Quarter Redding Club

 Best Community Support Initiative

  • Beer with Buddies, Alzheimer Scotland
  • Rapid Response Team – An alternative to hospital admission for older people, Rapid Response Team, NHS Lothian
  • Integrated approach to Post Diagnostic Support in Midlothian, Midlothian Dementia Team, NHS Lothian

 Best Educational Initiative

  • Advancing Dementia Education for Mental Health Staff in Lothian, NHS Lothian
  • Carer’s Academy, NHS Ayrshire and Arran and University of the West of Scotland

 Best Hospital Care Initiative

  • The Power of Music in Hospital Care, NHS Fife
  • Palliative and End of Life Care in an Acute Specialist Dementia Unit, Laura Crosbie and Cree Ward, Midpark Hospital, NHS Dumfries and Galloway
  • Styles and Smiles, University Hospital Wishaw, NHS Lanarkshire

 Best Care Home Practice Improvement

  • Omi Interactive Table Project, Erskine Park Home
  • Developing Namaste Care in Practice, Erskine Park Home

 Henry Simmons, Alzheimer Scotland’s Chief Executive, said: “Scotland’s Dementia Awards celebrate the people and projects working tirelessly to improve care and support for people living with dementia and their families throughout our communities and across the health, social care and education sectors.

“On behalf of our awards partners, I want to thank everyone who entered the awards. It has been our honour once again to see so many tremendous creative and innovative collaborations taking place. Many of these initiatives are significantly developing and improving practice, ensuring that the rights of people with dementia and their families to receive the best possible quality of care and support are being delivered. Others are helping to break down and tackle social barriers, unifying our communities and creating a dementia-friendly Scotland. We look forward to celebrating the work of all our finalists and winners in September.”

The awards will culminate in a prestigious ceremony staged during World Alzheimer’s Month on 18 September at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow. Tickets to attend the event are available, visit www.sda.alzscot.org for further details.

For further information email [email protected] or join the conversation on Twitter at #SDAs19.