The University of East Anglia’s Dementia Open Forum on 1 May 2025 featured Dr Smruti Bulsari, NIHR / Alzheimer’s Society Dem Comm Fellow at the University of Essex, speaking on the relevance of dementia strategies to people living with dementia and those around them.
Dr Bulsari outlined the purpose of national and regional dementia strategies, tracing their development in England and setting them in the context of international frameworks such as the WHO Global Action Plan and the Glasgow Decla ration. She explained how strategies are intended to guide priorities — from timely diagnosis to carer support and research participation — but noted that many people affected by dementia are unaware these documents exist.
The presentation included comparisons between strategies from different parts of the country, including Norfolk and Southend, Essex and Thurrock. While there are shared goals across these documents, Dr Bulsari emphasised the importance of tailoring strategies to local needs, especially in areas facing higher levels of deprivation or limited access to services.
To finishes the session, we hear a discussion on public involvement in policy development, and the importance of making strategy processes more open, accessible, and responsive to lived experience.
Dr Jodi Watt
