Director of NIHR Dementias & Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Network (DeNDRoN) appointed as the new National Clinical Director for Dementia
18 January 2010
Alistair Burns, Professor of Old Age Psychiatry at Manchester University and Associate Director for dementia for NIHR DeNDRoN has been appointed as the first National Clinical Director for Dementia by the Department of Health.
Professor Burns has been a key member of the leadership team responsible for establishing the NIHR Clinical Research Network for Dementia and Neurodegenerative Diseases (DeNDRoN).
Since 2005 DeNDRoN has supported a threefold increase in the number of people with dementia entering clinical studies and a fivefold increase in the number of NHS sites actively involved in dementia research.
As National Clinical Director for Dementia Professor Burns will promote better care of people with dementia within the NHS and social care communities and provide leadership for the implementation of the National Dementia Strategy.
Care Services Minister, Phil Hope said:
"Alistair’s experience of dementia services gives him a unique understanding of what works for people with the condition and their carers. I am confident that he will help drive up standards of care across the country and look forward to working with him to build the best possible services for people with dementia."
Professor Alistair Burns, said:
‘I am delighted to have been appointed to the post of National Clinical Director for Dementia. In the past few years, there has been a great deal of public interest in dementia and several influential initiatives, in particular the National Dementia Strategy and DeNDRoN. The challenge, now, is to build on this to make a real positive difference to people with dementia, their families and carers. I very much look forward to working with colleagues to realise this ambition.’
Professor Burns will work closely with the new National Clinical Director for Older People, Professor David Oliver, also announced today, to ensure strong leadership in shaping the future of services for an ageing population.
Director of DeNDRoN, Professor Martin Rossor said:
“Although we are sorry to see Alistair move on, his appointment into this important post underlines the significance of research in dementia, both in developing evidence-based services and in seeking to better understand its cause, develop new treatments and hopefully find a cure.”
A new Director for dementia in DeNDRoN will now be appointed to continue the progress started by Professor Burns, and to work closely with him in this new role towards integration of clinical research and patient care for the benefit of people with dementia and their carers.
Notes
- Professor Alistair Burns took up post as Professor of Old Age Psychiatry at the University of Manchester in 1992 and is Hon Consultant Old Age Psychiatrist at Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust and Deputy Dean at South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust and part of the Manchester Academic Health Science Centre. Professor Burns also has an international reputation in research with nearly 300 papers published in peer reviewed journals and 25 books.
Contacts
NIHR DeNDRoN enquiries
news@dendron.org.uk
National Dementia Strategy enquiries
ndsenquiries@coi.gsi.gov.uk