A NURSE from Falcarragh Community Hospital was among the prize-winners at the second HSE West and North West Dementia Conference, which brought together over 240 healthcare professionals, researchers and advocates at ATU’s Sligo campus last week.
Cassandra Uí Ghogáin from Falcarragh Community Hospital in Donegal claimed second prize in the conference’s awards, which recognised excellence in dementia care across the region.
The full-day event, hosted in partnership with ATU, highlighted innovation, shared learning and the importance of lived experience in shaping future services, with presentations covering clinical services, research developments and emerging treatments.
The opening address was delivered by Global Dementia Ambassador Dr Helen Rochford-Brennan, who is herself living with dementia.
She reinforced the need to support independence.
“I want to continue doing the things I enjoy and I want to live at home for as long as I’m able to.
“It’s about recognising the richness of every person’s experience and promoting understanding and respect,” she said.
A standout moment came with the formation of a special Dementia Choir, comprising 40 people living with dementia and their families.
Clinical Nurse Managers Bini Poulose and Clair Culkin said they were “delighted to be invited to establish a dementia choir for this event”, describing it as a valuable social outlet that kept lived experience at the heart of the day.
Paula Noone, Assistant Director of Nursing for Dementia Quality Improvement, HSE West and North West, said the conference highlighted “a strong regional focus on quality improvement” and noted that community programmes and emerging research were helping shape the future of dementia care.
Over 12,000 people are estimated to be living with dementia in the West and North West region, with the national figure projected to exceed 150,000 by 2045.