The European Group of Governmental Experts on Dementia has met online, held its first meeting of 2021, exchanging updates and knowledge on the most recent and relevant developments in relation to dementia. The meeting was attended by representatives of 24 countries, Austria, Belgium (Flanders), Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom (England) and United Kingdom (Scotland). Representatives from the European Commission (DG SANTE and DG RTD) and the World Health Organization (WHO) were also present in the meeting.
A number of presentations were heard on the day, including on:
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Recent developments on the work of the World Health Organization, such its recent launch of the Global Dementia Observatory Knowledge Exchange and the forthcoming strategy on epilepsy and other neurological conditions
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Brain research which has taken place at an EU level, as well as the future of the Horizon Europe programme
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The publication and implementation of the new Czech National Dementia Strategy which will run between 2020-2030
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Austria’s work on involving people with dementia and other stakeholders in the implementation of the country’s national action plan on dementia.
In additional, a round table discussion was held in relation to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Themes arising from the discussion included:
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Good uptake levels in relation to vaccines across different European countries
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Some countries revisiting the issue of prioritisation of individuals within vaccine strategies, with more countries prioritising dementia to some degree (either as a condition in itself or through inclusion as a chronic disease)
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Continued caution by care homes in some countries in relation to visitation, even where measures have been eased.
The next meeting of the group is expected to take place on 7 December 2021.
