Norwich conference focuses on positive approach to dementia care

The seventh National Conference on Mental Health and Ageing will be held at the John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Colney on Thursday 15 November 2007.

The event is jointly organised by Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, Norfolk Adult Social Services and the School of Social Work and Psychosocial Sciences at the University of East Anglia.

This year’s conference is focusing on dementia care, with the aim to promote a positive approach to the provision of services for people with dementia, both in the community and within hospital settings.

Dr Andrew Tarbuck, consultant in old age psychiatry at the Julian Hospital in Norwich, and one of the speakers at the conference, said: “Problems and deficiencies in the care of people with dementia across the country have been highlighted in several recent reports.

“As a result, the Government has set-up a National Dementia Strategy and we very much hope that this will result in significant improvements in the resources and quality of care for this group of people.

“This conference will provide examples of high quality initiatives in clinical care and research, both local and national.”

A number of high profile experts in the field, including Professor Sube Banerjee of the Institute of Psychiatry [chair of the National Dementia Strategy] and Dr David Anderson of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, will also be speaking during the conference.

In addition to service user and carers, the event is aimed at staff working in health, social services, housing, voluntary and independent agencies and those in further or higher education. It will be of particular interest to planners and developers of services, as well as mental health practitioners.

For further information telephone the conference co-ordinator on: 01603 261951. Alternatively, visit the University website at: www.uea.ac.uk/swk.

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