The Scottish Dementia Working Group (SDWG)’s commitment to ensuring workforce knowledge and practice are informed by people with personal experience was at the heart of a learning session with first year junior doctors from Wishaw General Hospital on 1 June 2023. Group members Margaret McCallion, Stuart Dougall and Kenny Moffat spoke about their diagnosis journeys, their experience of receiving a dementia diagnosis in their 50s, their life since and how they are living the best life possible with dementia, including through their work with the SDWG. They took the opportunity to highlight the key things the junior doctors should keep in mind when giving a dementia diagnosis. This was followed by a research themed "Tea & Blether" event, at which SDWG members got together with Professor Debbie Tolson and Dr Louise Ritchie from the Alzheimer Scotland Centre for Policy & Practice.
The Group has enjoyed working closely with the Centre since its inception 10 years ago, so it was great for members to meet with Prof. Tolson and Dr Ritchie in the Glasgow Brain Health & Dementia Resource Centre, to review the work they’ve done together and look forward to future research opportunities. Members chatted about the ways in which they can participate in research – from receiving information on research projects; to being consulted on and participating in research; and to working with the Centre on a co-production basis. Conversations took place about possible areas for future research, and around how the Group can identify and develop project ideas that align with their renewed priorities and focus areas. Members agreed to establish a research group to build upon their research partnerships with the Centre for Policy & Practice, Brain Health Scotland and the Scottish Dementia Research Consortium.
