BU & Beyond 2012 - Bournemouth University

DEMENTIA INSTITUTE
champions better care and support
It’s an interesting fact that while Dorset is home to one
of the oldest populations in England, it has the lowest
rate of dementia diagnosis in the country.
Unfortunately, this is not as good as it
sounds; it does not mean there are fewer
cases, but in fact suggests that local
health and social care providers are having
difficulty in providing accurate diagnoses.
Indeed, there is evidence that only a third
of those with dementia are likely to be
diagnosed, leaving many people without
the support and services they need.
“Only a third of those with dementia
are likely to be diagnosed”
Newly-launched this year, the BU Dementia
Institute (BUDI) is aiming to help raise the
standard of care and support offered to
people with dementia and their families by
working with a variety of public, private
and voluntary bodies across the south of
England. In particular, the Institute will
bring together research, education and
professional practice from right across BU
to develop training courses, consultancy
services and educational activities to shape
professional dementia care.
Opening the well-attended event in May,
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Tim
McIntyre-Bhatty spoke of the importance
of BUDI’s work and how it was a great
example of society-led research. “It’s
really important that we understand the
context of the country and the way the
demographic is changing so that we can
support people in health and wellbeing
throughout their lives,” he explained.
“The Institute will bring together
research, education and professional
practice from across BU”
BU has already completed a variety
of research and projects focused on
dementia care including evaluating local
care approaches and producing bespoke
educational programmes for healthcare
providers. Ongoing projects promise to
cover an even broader range of themes and
activities, from studying rural dementia
initiatives across the world to examining
the possibilities for dementia-friendly
tourism.
The latest in
midwifery
practice
Bournemouth
University’s
branch campus in
Portsmouth has
been responsible
for training a
large proportion
of midwives in
Hampshire and the
Isle of Wight since it
was opened in 1998.
This year, a complete
revamp has ensured a
whole new generation of
midwives will be able to train in
the best possible environment,
allowing BU to continue making
a significant contribution to the
health and wellbeing of mothers
and babies in the area.
Part of NHS Portsmouth’s
redeveloped Community Health
Campus, the all-new Midwifery
Training Facility offers a realistic
hospital environment, the latest
industry-standard equipment
and high-tech audio-visual kit.
Students will be able to train in
an environment which replicates
what they will experience on
placement and when they
qualify as working midwives,
with a brand-new birthing bed,
a birthing couch, a profiling bed
and a birthing room warmer
worth £8,500 all available.
Other facilities include cameras
fitted to the skills lab, with
recordings available for students
to take away on a memory stick
to help them review their own
performance. The training facility
also includes two 50-seat lecture
theatres, a PC lab and a three-bed
practice skills room.
BU & Beyond | 11