Annabel Price, Consultant, Liaison and Psychiatrist, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust

Naaheed Mukadam, Professor of Psychiatry, Division of Psychiatry, University College London

Key points:

- The potential for dementia prevention
- Evidence for whether any interventions might work

Judith Harrison, NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer in Old Age Psychiatry, Newcastle University

Matthew Jones, Consultant Neurologist, Salford Royal

Sponsored by: Eli Lilly

Vanessa Raymont, Associate Professor, University of Oxford

Ming Hung Hsu, Senior Research Fellow, The Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy Research (CIMTR), Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University

Hilda Hayo, Chief Admiral Nurse and CEO, Dementia UK

Sponsored by Roche Diagnostics 

Chaired by Ross Dunne, Consultant & Later life psychiatrist Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust (GMMH)

Jeremy Isaacs, National Clinical Director for Dementia and Older People's Mental Health, NHS England

Abstract:

Over 500,000 people are now living with a formal dementia diagnosis in England, a number projected to increase significantly due to demographic ageing. The NHS has made notable progress in diagnosis, public awareness, and the development of dementia-friendly services. Memory services are busier than ever, seeing 200,000 new patients per year, while a diverse community of voluntary sector providers offer a range of post-diagnostic support options.  

However, significant challenges remain. Waiting times in memory services are increasing; over 50% of patients are now waiting over 18 weeks from referral to diagnosis. The quality of diagnosis is inconsistent, with significant variations in subtype diagnosis. Delirium remains under-recognised and recorded.

Too many people living with dementia as patients or carers feel unsupported after a diagnosis. Addressing these challenges requires efficient resource use, targeted investment in cost-effective diagnostics and interventions, enhanced workforce training, better use of data, greater integration between health providers, leveraging the emerging neighbourhood health model to implement consistent post-diagnostic support and a public health approach to dementia risk reduction. The Frailty & Dementia Modern Service Framework presents a generational opportunity to ensure equitable access to high-quality dementia care across England.

TBC

Professor Dame Louise Robinson, Regus Professor of Ageing, Newcastle University

Key points:

- Role of primary care in providing dementia care and support
- Evidence base underpinning primary care dementia service pro

Joanna Wardlaw, Professor of Applied Neuroimaging, University of Edinburgh and UK DRI

Abstract:

This lecture will cover recent developments in understanding of vascular causes of cognitive decline and dementia, the importance of optimising vascular risk factor management for all patients attending memory clinics, and summarise alternative approaches to improving vascular function now being tested in clinical trials, including identification of potential interventions.

Dennis Chan, Professorial Research Fellow, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London

Key points:

- The role of biomarkers in diagnosis.
- Use of blood biomarkers in routine clinical practice.
- Comparing and contrasting the 2024 Alzheimer’s Association and International Working Group diagnostic guidelines for AD.
- Preclinical and clinical staging of

David Llewellyn, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology and Digital Health, University of Exeter

 Anya Topiwala, Senior Clinical Researcher, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford

Catherine Evans, Professor of Palliative Care, Director of the Cicely Saunders Institute, King's College London

1. A Legal Perspective
Alex Ruck Keene, Barrister, Professor of Practice, 39 Essex Chambers & King's College London

Short description:

Alex Ruck Keene will set out how to reduce unnecessary complexity in capacity assessment, address necessary complexity, and document conclusions about capacity in a legally defensible fashion.

2. A Clinical Perspective

 James Warner, Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Medicine Centre, Imperial College 

Timothy Rittman, Assistant Professor, University of Cambridge

Abstract:

The approach to genetics has changed dramatically over the past few years. This talk will review when to test for genetics forms of dementia, and provide and overview of the testing process. The aim is to help you identify people with dementia to whom you would offer a genetic test, and give you confidence in interpreting and discussing the results.

Ben Underwood, Assistant Professor in Applied and Translational Old Age Psychiatry & Honorary Consultant Old Age Psychiatrist, University of Cambridge

Professor Catherine Mummery, Professor of Neurology; Director NIHR UK Dementia Trials Network; Head of Clinical Trials, Dementia Research Centre