The knowledge and resources needed to support GPs and fellow primary healthcare professionals to recognise dementia and improve the quality of life and care of people who are concerned about their memory will take centre stage at a dedicated NHS learning event this month.

NHS Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Hull and York Medical School’s Academy of Primary Care have been providing Protected Learning Time (PLT) learning and development opportunities to primary care based staff for the last 18 months.

Dr Nigel Wells, Clinical Chair at the CCG said: “Dementia is a key area of work right across the Vale of York and so I am delighted that we are able to dedicate time for those working right across primary care to come together and share insight into recognising the signs of dementia in patients right through to improving the quality of life and care of people who are concerned.

“We recognise that Protected Learning Time sessions are a valuable event for colleagues to take time away from practice to share and learn which is why we are keen to keep the momentum going now more than ever.”

The event will look at opportunities for improving care, maximising spread of good practice, sharing learning and building relationships. It will also enable participants to gain a unique insight into dementia through the stories of people with dementia and their carers.

At the next PLT event which takes place virtually on Thursday 15 October -  novelist, campaigner and journalist Nicci Gerard will be welcomed as the key note speaker. In 2014 she and Julia Jones set up John’s Campaign, fighting for the right of family carers to accompany those living with dementia whenever they go to hospital or any other place away from home; the campaign has changed the culture around dementia in hospitals and in care homes.

During this time, local patients will continue to receive the care they need from their local practice on Thursday 15 October 2020, via Vocare, the local Out of Hours GP provider. Vocare will be supplying clinical cover from 12.30pm to 6pm to those practices that choose to take up this virtual learning and development. Patients can call Vocare on 0300 123 0762.

Find out more about the series of Protected Learning Time Events here: www.valeofyorkccg.nhs.uk/about-us/protected-learning-time/

< Back to all news stories