[A version of this item appears in: Dementia: the Latest Evidence Newsletter (RWHT), Volume 2 Issue 1, August 2011].
Summary
The Ministerial Advisory Group on Dementia Research (chaired by Minister of State for Care Services, Paul Burstow MP) has laboured for 18 months and its final “Headline Report” has arrived.
The Ministerial Advisory Group on Dementia Research (MAGDR) has produced this set of proposals to enhance the volume, quality and impact of dementia research. This report provides their suggested “route map” for dementia research, complete with agreed actions and proposed timelines.
The proposed actions are summarised in the Route Map for Dementia Research (Annex A). These actions are to be adopted by a range of different organisations (i.e. the Department of Health, the National Institute for Health Research [NIHR] and other relevant research organisations and charities). Progress against these actions will be assessed at a final meeting of the Advisory Group after a further 12 months.
Collaborations
Collaboration between disciplines and specialities is recognised to be key to collective progress.
The NIHR’s Dementias and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Network (DeNDRoN) is to lead improvement work on the quality and consistency of support provided to research, via projects on “Integrating Networks and Embedding Research in Clinical Practice” (INTERACT) and “Enabling Research in Care Homes” (ENRICH). ENRICH aims to facilitate research in the care home sector.
The issues of research regulation and governance are addressed the Plan for Growth. The Medical Research Council (MRC) is working on public / private collaboration with the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), to look into improved data / information sharing and the identification of common targets for drugs / devices.
The MRC is also working with EU partners on international collaboration under the EU Joint Programming on Neurodegeneration (JPND) initiative. A European strategic agenda will appear by late 2011 to inform EU-wide research priorities and collaborations.
Overview of the Report
The main sections in this report comprise:
- Ministerial Forward.
- Background.
- Issues and Actions.
- Strengthen Collaboration and Coordination.
- Embed Research in Treatment and Care.
- Grow Capacity and Capability.
- Harness Existing Resources.
- Engage the Public.
- Conclusion.
- Annex A: Route Map for Dementia Research.
- Annex B: Ministerial Advisory Group Members.
- Annex C: Subgroup Participants.
Reference
Ministerial Advisory Group on Dementia Research (2011). The Ministerial Group on Dementia Research: Headline Report. London: Department of Health, June 28th 2011. Dementia Gateway Reference: 16226.
