RSM UK Consulting LLP (RSM) were commissioned in 2015 by the HSC Research and Development Division to conduct a longitudinal evaluation of the Research Programme in Dementia Care over a four year period. This report is the final report covering April 2018 to March 2019 but draws together an overall summation of the programme.
HSC R&D Division in partnership with The Atlantic Philanthropies jointly commissioned a programme of research to develop knowledge of how best to deliver evidence-based care in Northern Ireland (NI) to people living with dementia, in an evidence-informed policy context, and to enhance the local capacity to undertake high quality research relevant to dementia care. The aim of the Research Programme in Dementia Care was to ultimately lead to direct improvements in patient care and systemic changes in the way services are commissioned and delivered.
An open call for proposals for the Research Programme in Dementia Care was first issued in June 2013 and then again in February 2014. Seven projects were successful and awarded a total funding of £2,205,307. Three projects started in 2014 and the remaining four began in 2015
Final Report Key Findings
The key findings of this project have been mapped against the Terms of Reference:
• Relationships: The programme and research funding were viewed as helpful in promoting the development of interdisciplinary relationships within and between institutions, deepening these relationships to a greater extent than would have been possible without funding.
• Capacity: Overall capacity was felt to have been built in applied dementia research in NI, particularly considering the low baseline position at outset.
• The funding has been used to support over 60 researchers across seven projects, with several successes in career development with junior researchers moving into substantive positions within universities in NI or beyond.
• Capacity was also developed in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, through Research Team members using the research projects as case studies within lectures for undergraduate and post-graduate students.
• Dissemination: Dissemination appears to have been strong in academic terms, with 28 high-quality publications produced so far. However, some stakeholders suggested that further dissemination would be useful, such as through a process for dissemination and knowledge transfer (e.g. a Dissemination Officer).
• Impacts on Policy: Views on the impact of the research studies on policy were mixed. Some projects indicated improved practices and education/ training, whereas others indicated that more could be done to translate findings into practice.
• Three projects indicated that research showed that, if scaled and spread more widely, their studies/ innovations would have potential for health and wellbeing benefits in future. However, there are no current plans for scaling, so we cannot comment further on the extent to which this might be achievable.
• Whilst all indicated that there is scope for research projects to influence policy, there is pressure in academia to focus on further research rather than translation of findings into practice on the ground, and the absence of devolved government in NI has made influencing policy difficult to achieve.
• Two of the projects (so far) have successfully secured further research grant funding from a range of sources (£1.5m has been secured, with partners), which would not have happened in absence of programme. This suggests capacity, relationships and opportunities have been built and have potential to be sustained as a result of this programme.
To read and download the evaluation report click here and for the dementia care reports click here.