New scheme to encourage dementia service innovation

A new initiative has been launched by the government to stimulate the development of innovative new products and services for UK dementia patients.

Spearheaded by the Department of Health and The Design Council, the Living Well with Dementia scheme will provide five teams with funding of 360,000 pounds to create business models and prototypes for their new concepts.

Teams with varied expertise – including designers, social entrepreneurs, businesses and service providers – are being targeted by the scheme, which will provide participants with professional support to get their ideas off the ground.

It is hoped that this initiative will lead to the creation of concepts that will help to improve health outcomes for dementia patients, as well as reducing the costs faced by the NHS.

Care services minister Paul Burstow said: "By engaging with businesses and the third sector, I hope we will stimulate some creative thinking about how best to help people with dementia get the most out of their lives."

This comes after a new information pack was launched last month to support clinical commissioning groups responsible for dementia services.