Primary Care partnership launches cognitive impairment case-finding for patients at risk of dementia across Greater Manchester
A new initiative to case-find people in Greater Manchester for cognitive impairment has been launched, involving primary care partners across the region.
Health Innovation Manchester and Linus Health are working with GP practices and Primary Care Networks, to provide appropriate health and lifestyle advice and interventions to people with cognitive impairment and at significant risk of dementia. Linus Health is a digital health company focused on enabling early detection of dementia, alongside personalized interventions, using digital cognitive assessments.
The aim of the project is to enable a more upstream and proactive approach to the detection of cognitive impairment and offer appropriate support at an earlier stage than was previously possible, to delay the onset of dementia and mitigate its impact.
This is a proof-of-value project working within primary care to proactively case-find persons with cognitive impairment and a significant risk factor for dementia, to then provide timely and appropriate health and lifestyle-based advice and interventions. A growing body of research supports the impact these interventions can have in protecting cognitive health, along with overall health.
Health Innovation Manchester’s project team has collaborated with Linus Health to deliver training sessions and provided equipment to primary care partners, to facilitate the case-finding activity. The sessions were delivered to inform primary care partners, and to help improve the identification of those most at risk of developing dementia.
The project will offer Linus Health’s Core Cognitive Evaluation (CCE), a digital cognitive assessment, to persons over the age of 55 with a diagnosis of hypertension. The initial pilot sites include:
- Hyde PCN (8 practices)
- Didsbury Medical Centre
- Tower Family Healthcare (4 sites)
- Kingsway Medical Practice
As the proof-of-value progresses, Health Innovation Manchester will look to engage with further areas, GP practices, and PCNs across Greater Manchester to ensure a wider rollout to support and advance dementia services in the region.
Dr. Tracey Vell, Medical Director at Health Innovation Manchester said: “I am delighted to announce that Health Innovation Manchester are now commencing a proof-of-value case-finding for cognitive impairment in Greater Manchester in collaboration with Linus Health. Citizens and their families report the worries associated with Dementia and we want to help to identify it earlier and reduce its effects.”
Dr. Alvaro Pascual-Leone, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer at Linus Health and Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School said: “Primary care is playing an increasingly critical role in detecting and addressing cognitive impairment and dementia as early as possible. Empowering them with new tools to not only improve detection, but also support personalized interventions for their at-risk patients is essential. Linus Health is proud to support Health Innovation Manchester’s work to expand dementia services and improve care.”
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