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
  – Kenny Moffat, Scottish Dementia Working Group (SDWG)
  – Marion Ritchie, National Dementia Carers Action Network (NDCAN)
• Why ‘Better Care. Full Stop’ – Henry Simmons, Chief Executive, Alzheimer Scotland)
• Ministerial address – Alison Thewliss, Minister for Community Care
• Brain health activity and comfort break – Brain Health Team

10.55am – 12.20pm: Session 1
Better care and policy: Why change today could transform tomorrow

• What needs to change? – Frank Stephen, NDCAN
• Women’s brain health:
  –  Professor Anna Glasier OBE ,Women’s Health Champion for Scotland
  – Joanna Crispell, Head of Brain Health, Alzheimer Scotland
  – Thea Laurie, NDCAN
• Have your say: What Scotland told us
  – Michael Smith, Policy & Research Officer, Alzheimer Scotland
  – Joanna Boddy, NDCAN
• 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

12.20pm – 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 1pm and 1.45pm. An 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. Session will be opened by former First Minister and Alzheimer Scotland Ambassador Henry McLeish and chaired by Jim Pearson, Deputy Chief Executive, Alzheimer Scotland.   
  

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

• What does future support look like? – Stuart Dougall, SDWG
• Childhood dementia: Progress and priorities
  – Jim Pearson, Deputy Chief Executive, Alzheimer Scotland
  – Claire Fyvie, Childhood Dementia Scotland
• Innovations in technology
  – Professor Alan Gow, Professor of Psychology, 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? – Rynagh Flynn, SDWG
• Innovative clinical trials and approaches
  – Professor Craig Ritchie, CEO and Founder, Scottish Brain Sciences
  – Dr Jennifer Lynch, Medical Director, Neuroclnx
• The Brain Tissue Bank – Professor Tara Spires-Jones, Professor of Neurodegenerationand the Director of the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh
• 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.