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Scotland's Dementia Awards

15-May-2012

Scotland's Dementia Awards: recognising health, social and community-based achievement for dementia in Scotland

Today sees the launch of the first ever Scotland's Dementia Awards: a partnership between Alzheimer Scotland, NHS Education for Scotland, NHS Health Scotland and Scottish Social Services Council. The event will take place on Thursday 20 September 2012 at Hampden Stadium, in celebration of World Alzheimer's Day. The keynote address will be given by the Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon. Closing date for applications is Friday 13 July.

Scotland's Dementia Awards will celebrate the work of both professionals and community groups who are committed helping people with dementia and their families. The awards will showcase the creativity, innovation and dedication that make a real difference to the daily lives of people with dementia and their families across Scotland when organisations, groups and teams work together.

There are six award categories for the inaugural event:

• Best acute care initiative
• Best innovation in continuing care
• Best community support initiative
• Best dementia friendly community initiative
• Best educational initiative
• Most innovative partnership

Henry Simmons, Chief Executive of Alzheimer Scotland said, "Every day, people with dementia and their families face the challenge of living well with dementia. Thousands of staff, across the health, social care and community sectors, go above and beyond their individual roles to make a real difference to the lives of people with this illness. Scotland's Dementia Awards are a celebration of staff who have risen to the challenge of helping people to live well with dementia in our society."

Malcolm Wright, Chief Executive of NHS Education for Scotland said, "We are delighted to be working with our partners in supporting these awards. They present an excellent opportunity to celebrate the pivotal role of education and training in developing the health and social care workforce to promote excellence in the support and care provided to people with dementia and their families".

Gerry McLaughlin, Chief Executive of NHS Health Scotland, said, "Scotland's Dementia Awards will be an excellent platform to showcase the dedication and ever creative approaches to dementia care in Scotland. We look forward to the Awards as an additional part of the process in Scotland of recognising and sharing the importance of listening and learning from the lived experience of dementia and caring for someone with dementia."

Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive of the Scottish Social Service Council said, "The social
services and health workforce is enormous. People such as care home staff, doctors, social workers, nurses, receptionists, care at home staff and occupational therapists can all be part of a better future for people with dementia, their families and carers in Scotland. Whether working alone or in teams, with partners in the community, in housing services or the arts, these awards will recognise the difference we can make to the quality of people's lives."

To find out more about Scotland's Dementia Awards, visit
www.ScotlandsDementiaAwards.org.uk or email
ScotlandsDementiaAwards@alzscot.org.

ENDS

Notes for editors

1. There are 84,000 people in Scotland with some form of dementia. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer's disease, followed by vascular dementia.
2. The number of people in Scotland with dementia is set to double within a generation. As yet, there is no cure.
3. Updates about Scotland's Dementia Awards will also be on Twitter, with the #ScotDemAwrds tag. See @alzscot @NHS_Education @TripleSSSC @FHAScotland and @PAHAScotland
   
   

Contact details

Alzheimer Scotland
Kirsty Jardine
Awareness Manager
0131 243 1453
07747 025041
kjardine@alzscot.org


NHS Education for Scotland
Christine Patch
Head of Corporate Communications
0131 313 8059
07786 398 082
christine.patch@nesscot.nhs.uk


NHS Health Scotland
Kenny McDonald
Communications Manager
07717 513 623
kennymcdonald@nhs.net


Scottish Social Services Council
Nicola Gilray
Communications Manager
01382 207261
07766 133243
Nicola.Gilray@sssc.uk.com