Posters for 2026 Northern Ireland Spring Meeting

Introduction Blood-based biomarkers (BBMs) of Alzheimer’s and other dementia-causing diseases will be available for clinical use in Northern Ireland (NI) within the next five years. Globally, it has been proposed that BBMs will be utilised in primary care before referral to memory services. This study assessed GP willingness to use BBMs and identified requirements for implementation. Method Ethical and governance approvals were granted by QUB. A short, anonymous questionnaire assessing GP attitudes towards BBMs was distributed primarily via email. The Eastern GP Federations Support Unit (FSU)

Background: In orthogeriatric patients, sleep quality is often overlooked despite its association with pain, mobility, and rehabilitation outcomes. This project assessed inpatient sleep quality on Elm Ward at Trafford General Hospital and evaluated interventions to improve sleep. Aim: To assess inpatient sleep quality and implement non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions. Methodology: Baseline sleep quality data were collected from eligible inpatients using a sleep questionnaire prior to two Plan–Do–Study–Act (PDSA) cycles. The first cycle introduced non-pharmacological

Background: Effective planning for hospital discharge can best be achieved through shared decision-making to make fully informed decisions. However shared decision-making is challenging for both healthcare professionals and older people with frailty. There is limited consensus on the optimum way to achieve shared decision-making. This project aims to develop a multi-component intervention to prepare healthcare professionals, older people, and relatives/carers of older people to engage in shared decision-making. We will test the feasibility of implementing the intervention in Northern Ireland

Introduction When facing a sharp rise in the number of people living with dementia in Northern Ireland, delays in receiving a timely diagnosis and accessing specialist dementia support, it is imperative to find new ways to bring dementia care closer to home. An innovative 3-year partnership, established in 2024, between Dementia UK and Nationwide Building Society, aims to provide specialist nursing support to 100,000 families living with dementia across the UK. Recurrent clinics are delivered in Nationwide high street branches across Northern Ireland by a specialist dementia nurse, known as an

Introduction: What is the most significant conversation you’ve ever had? A question for which everyone reading will have their own answer. You may vividly recall what was said, where, by whom, and in what manner. In a healthcare setting, a clinician must always consider the ways in which our daily work can involve conversations as salient as this for our patients, their families and carers. Discussing ceiling of care is one such instance. With ReSPECT now reflected in HPFT policy as standard practice, this audit explores how patients and carers experience these discussions. ReSPECT forms

Introduction It is acknowledged that older people with a background of dementia are frequent attenders of Emergency Departments (EDs), where overcrowding, long waits and an unfamiliar environment can create a distressing experience for these patients and their carers. By identifying and understanding modifiable factors that shape these patient’s experiences, healthcare systems and professionals can aim to improve experiences for both this patient group and their carers. This qualitative analysis aims to identify and explore the factors that can impact the experiences of patients with dementia