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A National Allied Health Professions Dementia WebEx™ Series Connecting people and their learning across Scotland Training and education, of current and future health and social care workforce, have been identified as key factors to support the transformational changes required to improve experience and outcomes of care and treatment for people living with dementia and their families in Scotland (Alzheimer Scotland 2017 Connecting People Connecting Support). The ambition for an allied health professional (AHP) workforce who are skilled in dementia care, as defined by the Promoting Excellence Framework (Scottish Government 2011a), is supported by key stakeholders from within education, health and third sector. The Alzheimer’s Scotland AHP Dementia Forum are working collaboratively to ensure a national approach to achieving this ambition. The WebEx™ series aimed to contribute towards enhancing dementia skills in the AHP workforce, providing a platform for AHPs across Scotland to connect, ensuring a national approach to sharing best practice. BACKGROUND • AHPs have demonstrated commitment to their learning around Dementia and best practice from their colleagues • AHPs nationally are developing digital skills through experience • WebEx™ has proven to be a valuable means of sharing best practice, supporting learning & this extends beyond AHPs CONCLUSIONS • Alzheimer Scotland. 2017. Connecting People, Connecting Support. Transforming the allied health professionals’ contribution to supporting people living with dementia in Scotland, 2017-2020 [online] Available from: https://www.alzscot.org/ahp • Scottish Government (2011a) Promoting Excellence. A Framework for All Health and Social Services Staff Working with People with Dementia, their Families and Carers. Scottish Government, Edinburgh www.gov.scot/Publications/2011/05/31085332/0 REFERENCES • Continue the digital series in 2020 using NES AHP Practice Education Program “GoToWebinar” account –enabling sessions to be recorded • Share the recorded sessions widely, sharing best practice • Increase reach and participation from other non AHP partners • Continue to support the development of a digitally skilled workforce WHAT’S NEXT IN 2020? Over 12 months 575 people have joined the WebEx™ series; from within AHP professions and extending beyond (universities, nursing, Scottish government, Care Inspectorate, care home and third sector) • AHPs are connecting; learning from each other and about each other, sharing and facilitating learning for others • WebEx™ has enabled the smaller AHP professions and remotely based staff to access learning • And AHPs are applying the improvements shared to their own practice areas OUTCOMES - WHAT HAPPENED? “it has given me ideas for different ways of implementing changes and how to measure” “The past two WebEx’s have been able to influence our practise with clients who have dementia” “Great to be able to access presentation from another part of Scotland at our own desk” “the opportunity to engage from my office, I would not have been able to participate if I had to travel” Dumfries & Galloway Dumfries & Galloway Speech & Language Therapy & Speech & Language Therapy & Occupational Therapy Occupational Therapy November 2018 November 2018 Lothian Lothian Speech & Language Therapy Speech & Language Therapy August 2019 August 2019 Lanarkshire Lanarkshire Occupational Therapy Occupational Therapy June 2019 June 2019 Fife Fife Podiatry Podiatry April 2019 April 2019 Highland Highland Dietetics Dietetics November 2019 November 2019 Greater Glasgow & Clyde Greater Glasgow & Clyde Physiotherapy Physiotherapy February 2019 February 2019 We have been mindful to ensure we capture and measure impact and reach of this work. Six 50 minute, new and innovative AHP WebEx™ sessions were delivered over a period of 12 months. AHPs from across professions and Board areas in Scotland have presented, sharing their work and best practice examples. What you liked about the WebEx™ What would have made it even better? What change have you made in your practice following THE WEBEX™ SERIES - WHAT DID WE DO? An appreciative model was used to gather feedback from attendees: The presentations have been captured & shared via: our AHP Blog (www.alzscot.org/talking_dementia) and online Community of Practice (https://bit.ly/2RYqlki) Wendy Chambers, AHP Practice Education Lead (NHS D&G), @wendyAHPDem Alison McKean, AHP Post Diagnostic Lead (Alzheimer Scotland), @AliAHPDem Elaine Hunter, National AHP Consultant (Alzheimer Scotland), @elaineahpmh
