BRADFORD is at the forefront of a study which is expected to result in improvements to the care given to those living with dementia in care homes.

The research is being led by the Bradford Dementia Group and University of Bradford, supported by a range of other health organisations including Bradford District Care Trust and the Alzheimer's Society.

It will focus on 750 people living in care homes in Bradford, across West Yorkshire and at locations in London and Oxfordshire and more are to be recruited in the year ahead.

Details of those involved will remain confidential for the duration of the work, which is expected to go on into 2017.

The work is being funded by the National Institute for Health Research and will investigate whether a system called Dementia Care Mapping, developed at the University of Bradford, is effective in helping care home staff provide better quality care to residents with dementia.

It is called EPIC, or enhancing person-centred care in care homes, and lead researcher Dr Claire Surr, reader in dementia studies at the University of Bradford, said: “We are extremely pleased to have recruited our first care homes to the study on schedule.

"This is an important national study, which will provide us with strong evidence about how best to care for people with dementia in care homes. We are excited to be starting the on-the-ground research with care home sites.”

The Clinical Trials Research Unit’s EPIC lead, Professor Amanda Farrin, said: “I am delighted that the CTRU are involved in such an important trial.

"This work is an expansion of our existing portfolio of trials in complex interventions and therapies, including other research projects involving older people in hospitals, care homes and the community.

"We look forward to the challenges ahead, and ultimately seeing the impact this research may have on the care home environment.”

Bradford Dementia Group's objective is to reduce the stigma surrounding the condition and promote a positive view by promoting the possibility of living well with dementia.

Dr Doug Brown, director of research and development at the Alzheimer’s Society, said: “With a third of people with dementia living in care homes, investigating better ways to deliver care in these settings to ensure that it is of the highest quality is hugely important.

"Alzheimer’s Society funds research into better dementia care today as well as a cure for tomorrow and we’re delighted to be able to work in partnership with these researchers to support them with the voices of people affected by dementia.”