New dementia teaching for nursing and paramedic students first of its kind in UK

19 March 2025

The training taps into the University of Stirling's expertise in dementia-friendly design.

New dementia teaching from the University of Stirling is the first in the UK to include dementia design for undergraduate nurses and paramedics.

Being Dementia Smart has been devised by the staff of the Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC), part of the University of Stirling, in collaboration with its Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport.

Students gain current best practice training in dementia care and design, so they can gain confidence in delivering care to meet the values and principles of the Scottish Social Services Council’s Promoting Excellence Framework.

The module is led by Professor Lesley Palmer, Professor of Ageing and Dementia Design and an architect specialising in dementia-friendly design, and Senior Dementia Consultant David Wilson-Wynne, who has extensive experience within the field of dementia care and was a clinician in the Scottish Ambulance Service.

They have worked with Sarudzai Mutebuka, Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing, to re-design the Being Dementia Smart module, which draws on the latest dementia research and focuses on best practice in dementia care.

The module, which is essential for students of Adult Nursing, Mental Health Nursing and Paramedic Science, reflects the Scottish Government’s new Dementia Strategy. Launched in 2023 with input from DSDC, the Strategy focuses on empowerment and inclusivity for people with dementia.

Lesley Palmer
Professor of Ageing and Dementia Design

This is the first teaching to include dementia design. We’re taking lessons from other disciplines and blending them into their education so that students can see that care is also about the space you're providing it in.

The final semester of the module focuses purely on dementia friendly environments and design, which is unique in the UK among undergraduate Nursing and Paramedic courses.

Professor Palmer said: “This is the first teaching to include dementia design. We’re taking lessons from other disciplines and blending them into their education so that they can see that care is multi-factorial – it’s not just about how you provide care, it’s also about the space that you’re providing it in.”

Mr Wilson-Wynne said: “It makes sense for us to share first-hand with Stirling students the knowledge and expertise DSDC has, which is literally on their doorstep. The feedback we have had so far for the new dementia module has been extremely positive. We have even had students saying they now want to go into older people nursing, having not considered it before.”

Student Paul Innes called the module “eye-opening” while student Benjamin Bowman said: “It just gives you that different viewpoint to be able to help the person better.”

Marie Elen, Programme Director for Nursing, said: “This demonstrates our commitment to training healthcare clinicians to be able to work confidently with people living with dementia so that they have the best levels of care.”

Bobby Garvie, Programme Director for Paramedic Science, said: “It is important for future paramedics who will be attending to people with dementia, that students understand dementia, its impact and the best way to care for this demographic.”