Alzheimer Scotland Conference 2026

Alzheimer Scotland Annual Conference 2026

Better Care, Full Stop.

Our Annual Conference will be held on Friday 18 September at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC). As always, our conference is a great opportunity to hear from a range of engaging speakers, network and make new friends, and visit our marketplace with a variety of information stands.

Continuing on from Dementia Awareness Week, our conference theme is ‘Better Care, Full Stop’ which builds on our recent campaigning work.

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Programme for the day (10am-4.30pm)

9am – 10am: Registration, marketplace and networking

10am – 10.55am: Welcome

• The importance of better care, collective action and shared voice – Active Voice
• Why ‘Better Care. Full Stop’ –  Henry Simmons (Chief Executive, Alzheimer Scotland)
• Brain health activity and comfort break – Brain Health Team

10.55am – 12.10pm: Session 1
Better care and policy: Why change today could transform tomorrow

• What needs to change? – Active Voice
• Women’s brain health  –  Joanna Crispell (Head of Brain Health, Alzheimer Scotland), Thea Laurie (NDCAN), Professor Anna Glasier OBE (Women’s Health Champion for Scotland)
• Have your say: What Scotland told us – Michael Smith (Policy & Research Officer, Alzheimer Scotland)
• Better Care. Full Stop: Progress towards Dementia Pathway Guarantees – Michael Huddleston (Policy & Research Lead, Alzheimer Scotland)
• Have your say: What stands out most for you? – audience discussion and questions

12.10pm – 2pm: Lunch, networking and engagement 

• Lunch
• Networking
• Wellness sessions – 12.15pm Take a break and recharge with our 15 minute wellness sessions hosted by Temple Spa. Please visit their exhibition stand for more information. 
• The Big Conversation – Taking place between 12.40pm and 1.40pm, this special session will give delegates the opportunity to reflect on what matters most, explore differing perspectives and contribute directly to shaping Alzheimer Scotland’s future priorities for policy and campaigns in order to influence services, research and community supports. The session will be chaired by Former First Minister Henry McLeish. 
  

2pm – 3.20pm: Session 2
Innovations in practice: The creative approaches changing the national and international landscape

• What does future support look like? – Active Voice
• Childhood dementia: Progress and priorities – Jim Pearson (Deputy Chief Executive, Alzheimer Scotland)
• Innovations in technology – Professor Alan Gow (Heriot Watt University), Fiona Corner (Head of Development, Alzheimer Scotland)
• What can Scotland learn from international dementia leadership? And what can the international community learn from Scotland? – Chris Lynch (Acting CEO and Director of Policy, Research, Communications & Publications, Alzheimer’s Disease International)
• Have your say: What works well and what needs to improve? – audience discussion and questions
• Brain health activity and comfort break – Brain Health Team

3.20pm – 4.15pm: Session 3
Looking forward: How research is giving us hope for better care

• What gives me hope for the future? – Active Voice
• Innovative clinical trials and approaches – Professor Craig Ritchie (Scottish Brain Sciences), representative from Neuroclin
• Scottish Brain Health Council: Our vision for the future – Henry Simmons (Chief Executive, Alzheimer Scotland)
• Have your say: Research priorities for Scotland – audience discussion and questions

4.15pm – 4.30pm: Close 

• Closing reflections and next steps – Henry Simmons (Chief Executive, Alzheimer Scotland)

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As always, tickets for people with dementia and carers are free – please email conference@alzscot.org for more information about free tickets.

For everyone else, tickets are available to buy at Eventbrite by clicking the button below.