Top award for Stirling academic’s learning disabilities and dementia course

“The award is particularly important to me as it reflects the shift to increased recognition of the experiences of people with a learning disability, who are affected by dementia,” said Dr Watchman.

“We have known of the association between Down's syndrome and dementia for many years now but it is only recently, when faced with an increasing ageing population of people with a learning disability and dementia, that health and social care services have actively sought information and evidence-informed support strategies.

“This course meets the need of such services with innovative impact already evidenced in practice for people with a learning disability and their families.”

Dr Watchman was presented with her award by host Hazel Blears at a Gala Night held at the Hilton Brighton Metropole on Thursday 8 November.

The course was most recently delivered at the University of Stirling earlier this month, with another one planned for early 2019. It is also available to organisations on request. 

The National Dementia Care Awards, which are organised by the Journal of Dementia Care, were created to recognise the work of people in the dementia care sector.