About this research
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Having symptoms of dementia, and waiting for a diagnosis, can be a very anxious time. The pressure on secondary care-based memory services is increasing. Timely diagnosis is essential for people affected by dementia to access to treatment, support, and care planning. Current diagnostic pathways are often slow and burdensome, with waiting times for memory clinics reaching up to two years.
Primary care offers a potential route to earlier diagnosis, but time and resources are constrained. This study explores whether a structured, scalable approach—using trained Health Care Assistants (HCAs) to administer cognitive test bundles—can support GPs in making timely and accurate diagnoses for patients aged 75 and over.
Who is leading this work
Lead organisation: Bristol University
Organisation type: [organisation_type]
Who is being invited to take part
Participants sought: People with lived experience
Participation activities: Interviews
Estimated time commitment: 1 day per month for 12 months
Incentives or expenses:
All interviews undertaken in persons home.
Ethics & safeguarding
Safeguarding considerations:
people being interveiwed should be accompanied by a carer or family member
Ethical approval status:
Approved
Closing date: [application_deadline]