The IDEAwards for 2012 (International Dementia Excellence Awards) were held at the Dementia Services Development Centre at the University of Stirling at the end of June. The East Dunbartonshire Dementia Network were nominated in the category ‘Dementia Design Innovation of the Year’ for their Dementia Advisory Clinics (DACs).

Dementia Advisory Clinics take advice and support for people affected by dementia out into the community, taking the service to people in the familiar surroundings of their own GP surgery, and minimising the inconvenience and distress that might be caused by travelling to access different services at different times and places.

The Dementia Advisory Network received a commendation for for the DACs. One observer has said, “It’s not rocket science” but it’s an international truth that service design often assumes the person with dementia and their family are people with time to spare for repeat appointments, long waits, and travel to clinics.

So congratulations to Julie Christie and all the Social Work Team, to everyone at EDVA, Carers Link, Alzheimers Scotland, and of course Ceartas’ own Karen Heath for all their hard work in putting the DACs together. It’s great to get some recognition!