Scotland has taken a step forward in our work within dementia prevention.
We are delighted to welcome Professor Craig Ritchie, Director of the Centre for Dementia Prevention and Professor of Psychiatry of Ageing at the University of Edinburgh, to his new additional role as Director of Brain Health Scotland, where he will be working alongside Alzheimer Scotland to lay the foundations for Brain Health Scotland.
In recent years, strong evidence has emerged that some forms of dementia could be prevented. Formally launching in April 2020, Brain Health Scotland will provide expert advice, coordination and crucial contributions to a future Brain Health Strategy within Scotland. Brain Health Scotland is being delivered in partnership with the Scottish Government who are funding the collaborative initiative, which will also involve Scottish Dementia Research Consortium, Scottish Dementia Working Group, National Dementia Carers Action Network, along with other key stakeholders.
Alzheimer Scotland will play a crucial role, hosting and supporting the development and implementation of Brain Health Scotland. Our Chief Executive, Henry Simmons will be an Associate Director of Brain Health Scotland and be responsible for the overall governance of Brain Health Scotland as part of Alzheimer Scotland.
Professor Craig Ritchie, said: “Brain Health Scotland will be the first initiative of its kind anywhere in the world that works at a national level. It will ensure that the best research evidence regarding brain health is implemented rapidly and effectively to benefit the entire Scottish population. Scotland is uniquely positioned with undoubted strength in brain health research and health informatics and benefits from the dynamism between government and policy advocates working across the NHS and with other stakeholders. I am determined as the first Director of Brain Health Scotland to make sure we succeed in delivering on our incredibly ambitious objectives.”
Welcoming Professor Craig Ritchie, Chief Executive Henry Simmons added, “We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Scottish Government and Professor Craig Ritchie to begin the process of building the foundations for what we believe to be one of the most important dementia policy and brain health initiatives in recent years.”
Alzheimer Scotland will keep our members and supporters updated as we progress with this incredibly important progression in dementia prevention and in our work to build a Brain Health Strategy for Scotland. For more information on our work within dementia research or dementia prevention, please email [email protected].