Education and skills development for a health and social care workforce to deliver high-quality care for people with dementia is viewed as an international concern (Collier Knifton and Surr 2015; Mustafa et al. 2013). The total number of people with dementia worldwide in 2016 is estimated at 47.5 million and is projected to nearly double every 20 years to 75.6 million in 2030 and 135.5 million in 2050 (WHO 2016).
Across the UK and internationally social policy makers have developed a range of Dementia strategies which include addressing the needs of people with dementia when using general hospital services. In Scotland health and social policy sets out the vision for socially inclusive rights-based care for people with dementia. This policy includes Scotland’s National Dementia Strategy (Scottish Government 2010) The Promoting Excellence Framework (SG 2011) Scotland’s National Dementia Strategy 2013-2016 (SGa 2013) and Standards of Care for Dementia in Scotland (SG 2011). Key parts of these policies are concerned with improving the care of people with dementia in hospitals and supporting services.
It is known that the experience of people with dementia utilising general hospital services has fallen well below the expectations of people with dementia and their families and friends (Alzheimer's Society 2009; Alzheimer's Society 2016; Boaden 2016; Elvish et al. 2012; Jurgens et al. 2012; Royal College of Psychiatrists 2011).It is also recognised that the professional education of health care and social care professionals have not effectively included working with people with dementia and their families (Banks et al. 2014; Knifton et al. 2014; Pulsford Hope and Thompson 2007). Higher Education Institutions have a key role to play in the provision of high-quality dementia education for all health and social care professionals at each higher academic level (Collier Knifton and Surr 2015).
Commissioned by the Scottish Government and NHS Education Scotland Scotland’s National Dementia Champions Programme Banks et al. (2014) was developed and is now in its eighth cohort of delivery and evaluation. Many Dementia Champions reported a uniqueness to their experience on the programme particularly seeing people with dementia their profession and themselves in a different light. These expressions promoted research to be undertaken to explore the Champions experiences in partial completion of a Professional Doctorate Programme in Nursing.
