Dementia

We have been commissioned by Welsh Government to a project that focusses on improving early detection and diagnosis of dementia, treatment approaches and ongoing support as well as outlining the professional competences necessary to do so. We are undertaking this work in partnership with the National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (NCCMH).

This work aims to:

• Develop a clear evidence-based pathway that allows for early and accurate diagnosis, early intervention and ongoing support for people with dementia across Wales
• Based on the pathway, to develop a framework of competences of the important knowledge, skills and abilities needed for key roles involved in this pathway at different stages of care
• Ensure the project is grounded in real-world needs and knowledge, and aligned with national strategies, by  working with clinicians, service users, carers and stakeholders in Wales. 

This work will be considered by Welsh Government, with a view to inform their work on their National Dementia Strategy.

The framework establishes a comprehensive set of standards, skills, and knowledge requirements for workforce training and service delivery across the dementia care pathway in Wales. It provides a structured guide to ensure quality, equity, and consistency in dementia care.

The framework is organised into six key domains:

• Domain A: Core Competences
• Domain B: Detection and Diagnosis
• Domain C: Interventions and Treatment
• Domain D: Management and Support
• Domain E: Pathway and Framework Application
• Domain F: Meta-Competences

A review of reviews to explore evidence on early detection, diagnosis and interventions for dementia was conducted as part of the development of the Dementia Care Pathway and Competence Framework for Wales.

The full review manuscript has been submitted to a relevant journal for peer review and is currently under consideration for publication.

The preprint of the manuscript and supplementary material (including search strategy) are published online and available.