People across South Yorkshire are among the first in the country to gain improved access to pioneering dementia research, following a £3 million investment from Alzheimer’s Society to embed dedicated dementia research nurses within the UK Dementia Trials Network.
The initiative will see a new national team of Alzheimer’s Society–funded research nurses working across the UK, helping to boost both the number and diversity of people taking part in vital clinical studies aimed at improving diagnosis, care and treatment.
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the first UKDTN sites to recruit a dementia research nurse, with up to 20 research nurse hubs expected to be established across the country over the coming years.
Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer, and current projections suggest one in three people born today will develop the condition in their lifetime. However, dementia research participation remains extremely low, limiting progress on new diagnostics and treatments.
Despite almost one million people living with dementia in the UK today, only a tiny proportion have taken part in a dementia trial in the last five years. Even among those who have participated, the lack of diversity is stark: 95% of participants have been White British or European, leaving significant gaps in understanding how dementia affects different communities.
Low awareness plays a major role. A recent Alzheimer’s Society and UKDTN survey found:
- 80% of people with dementia were not told about research opportunities by their clinician
- Yet over 90% believe clinical trials and research should be discussed as part of routine dementia care
The new network of dementia research nurses aims to close this gap by improving outreach, raising awareness, and providing personalised support for people considering research participation.
Alzheimer’s Society says the programme will help tackle longstanding barriers to dementia research and ensure that trials better reflect the UK population.
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals’ Senior Dementia Research Sister, Jo Howe, commented:
“I am honoured to be part of the first UK-wide network of dementia research nurses. My main aim is to promote dementia research to both staff and the public and make it easier for people to get involved. I want to raise awareness of available research opportunities and support individuals in taking part. Through this, I hope to make dementia research more inclusive and accessible for everyone. Along the way, I also aim to build strong connections between healthcare teams, researchers, and people affected by dementia, ensuring that research is guided by lived experiences and leads to better support and care.”
By increasing awareness and access, the charity hopes to accelerate progress in:
- Early and accurate diagnosis
- New treatments and therapies
- Better long‑term support for people living with dementia and their families
The establishment of the research nurse network marks a significant step in helping more people contribute to the breakthroughs urgently needed in dementia research.
Image credit: iStock
