A new dementia awareness e-learning programme has been made available for all Health and Social Care (HSC) staff throughout Northern Ireland.

The training, which is being formally launched to coincide with Dementia Action Week, is also accessible to individuals working within the independent, community, and voluntary (C&V) sectors who interact with service users living with dementia.

Representing the first regional dementia training initiative of its kind, the programme aims to increase awareness, deepen the understanding of experiences faced by those with the condition, and provide guidance on supporting individuals living with dementia.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: "I am delighted to announce this training as we begin Dementia Action Week.

"My Department is committed to providing high-quality training for all staff, including for those working directly with people living with dementia across a range of care settings. "Northern Ireland is estimated to have at least 25,000 people currently living with dementia, and that number is projected to rise to 43,000 people by 2040. Northern Ireland is also projected to have the highest prevalence dementia rate compared to its UK counterparts.

"Ensuring that staff are equipped with the correct training to care appropriately for those with dementia is therefore of paramount importance.

"The eLearning awareness module offers guidance on how to effectively support individuals living with dementia and helps staff enhance the quality of care provided to them and their carers, whether in hospital, at home, or within care facilities."

The training package was created by the HSC Clinical Education Centre (CEC) in partnership with the Regional Dementia Project Board for Northern Ireland, Health and Social Care personnel, people living with dementia, the C&V sector, Queen's University Belfast, and Ulster University.

Additionally, the Department of Health has funded the creation of specialist dementia relationship training to enhance knowledge, transform attitudes, and inform the daily practice of health and social care staff. This separate digital resource, designed to ensure a person-centred and rights-based approach, was developed through Queen's University and supported by a range of stakeholders, including the C&V sector and HSC Trusts.