New system-wide training to strengthen dementia diagnosis in primary care

GPs and primary care clinicians across Kent and Medway are being invited to attend a training webinar, available on multiple dates to support access across different areas, designed to help deliver more timely and consistent diagnosis of advanced dementia.

The session marks the next phase in the rollout of the Level 1 DiADeM (Diagnosis of Advanced Dementia Model) pathway, part of a wider system transformation programme led by the Kent and Medway Provider Collaborative in partnership with the NHS Dementia Transformation Team.

Mark Kitchingham, Nurse Consultant in Older Adults at Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust, said: “This training gives clinicians practical confidence to use the DiADeM pathway appropriately and consistently. It strengthens collaboration with care homes and provides step-by-step guidance to support structured, evidence-based decision-making in primary care.”

The Level 1 training responds to lived-experience feedback highlighting inconsistencies in diagnostic timelines. One person told system leaders: “It took me over five years to get a dementia diagnosis.”

Another reflected: “It took me 2 and a half years to get a diagnosis; someone else got theirs in weeks. That’s a sign of serious inequality.”

The webinar provides a practical, step-by-step guide to using the DiADeM tool. It covers when the pathway should be used, how care homes prepare structured pre-assessment information before contacting practices, what clinicians can expect to receive, and how the model fits within the wider Kent and Medway dementia pathway. 

Level 1 training also includes practical resources such as case examples and templates to support structured assessments and collaboration with care homes.

DiADeM is a structured clinical approach that supports GPs in diagnosing advanced dementia in appropriate cases, particularly for people living in care homes. Using comprehensive background information, it enables proportionate, evidence-based decisions aligned with NICE guidance.

Dr Adrian Richardson, Director of Transformation and Partnerships, added: “This programme is focused on improving equity and quality in dementia diagnosis. Providing structured training and clearer pathways will support more consistent practice across the system.”

The webinar will be offered on multiple dates to accommodate practices across Kent and Medway. Please see the dates and links to register below for primary care workers and care home staff.

Primary Care - DiADeM Training Schedule

 Care home - DiADeM Training Schedule

Resources and ongoing support will be provided to ensure consistent use of the DiADeM pathway, helping to reduce variation, improve timeliness of assessments, and strengthen collaboration between GPs and care homes.