Driving innovation in early Alzheimer’s disease care: A collaborative approach 

With one in three people born in the UK today expected to be diagnosed with dementia, and with Alzheimer’s disease being the most common cause, the need for early diagnosis and effective care has never been more critical. These rising numbers demand a coordinated and high-quality approach to support those most affected. 

The good news?  

Groundbreaking advancements are happening right now, including the potential of disease-modifying therapies to treat Alzheimer’s and blood biomarkers to diagnose it. The challenge now is to ensure these advances reach the people who need them most through their local care systems.  

The ambition is clear: to ensure that people receive the right care, when and where they need it the most. At UCLPartners, we are making this ambition a reality. 

We are bringing together experts across the Alzheimer’s disease care pathway who don’t always get the chance to collaborate and create solutions. By working with GPs, specialists, researchers, innovators, the pharmaceutical sector and people living with and affected by dementia, we can make meaningful changes that will benefit everyone impacted by Alzheimer’s disease. This approach allows us to spot any potential gaps and where innovations and technologies can be used to improve care, with those who will be delivering it. 

The area we work in boasts some of the world’s leading dementia research centres and hospitals for diagnosis and care, such as the UK Dementia Research Institute and the UCLH National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. By connecting the people in academia who are creating the latest developments with clinicians across our patch, we can make sure that innovations can be embedded into care pathways quickly and safely. 

We work with some of the most diverse communities in the UK. There are over 26,000 people within our geography living with dementia and many people who are undiagnosed and caring for loved ones. The scale of dementia will keep growing, and it is important our work reduces the barriers to care that our communities are facing. We want to help more people from underserved communities trust memory services and feel confident in attending their appointments. We also want screening tools used in memory services to be appropriate for people of all backgrounds. Once diagnosed, it is vital that people from underserved communities don’t get left behind when accessing care, which sadly is a current reality. Only by listening to all communities and working together can we change this. 

Collaboration is key. We are sharing what we learn. Our ambition is to create models of care that are practical, scalable, and adaptable, so that other regions and parts of the healthcare system can replicate success and reduce inequalities that persist in Alzheimer’s disease care. 

By connecting the dots, working together with our communities and genuinely listening, we will build a foundation for better early – stage Alzheimer’s care – both now and in the future. 

Get in touch with us via email at enterprise@uclpartners.com