National Dementia Awareness Week has been marked by the meeting of the Plymouth-based team behind a new project utilising the City’s expertise in dementia care, research and training to improve the provision of dementia care in China.
Plymouth is internationally recognised as a centre of excellence in dementia research and the project will use the expert knowledge in the City to support Chinese health care professionals, students and tutors; thus positively impacting on and supporting dementia care across China.
The project, led by City College Plymouth with support from partner Plymouth University, was one of only two successful bids by colleges to the China Innovation Fund, which is administered by the British Council in China. The college is now working with their Chinese partner, Huzhou University, to develop the dementia training hub.
Fiona Horrell, Head of Partnerships at City College, said:
“This is a landmark project for both the college and our Chinese partners. With an ageing global population, dementia care is becoming more of a critical issue for our society. It is hoped that this project will help shape the methods and level of care given to those suffering with dementia across our two nations and help inform a global discussion of the issues.”
Ian Sherriff, Academic Partnership Lead for Dementia at Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, added:
“With experience of and innovations in dementia in the laboratory, the clinic and society, we are in the ideal position to work with City College Plymouth and Huzhou University. Our combined knowledge and expertise will, we hope, prove useful assets to our colleagues in China.”