Researchers at the University of Tasmania have secured Commonwealth funding as part of a $43 million fellowships scheme that aims to tackle the impacts of dementia and search for ways to prevent and cure the disease.
Announced on Monday by the Minister for Health Sussan Ley and Minister for Education and Training Senator Simon Birmingham, the funding will go to 76 fellows around the country, including two from the University of Tasmania.
Dr Kate-Ellen Elliott and Dr Michael Annear are both researchers at the Faculty of Health's Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre and have each secured just under $600,000.
Dr Elliott will develop an evidence-based program to build capacity and resilience in the Australian dementia care workforce while Dr Annear will carry out a study to improve dementia education access for staff in regional and district hospitals.
Co-Director of the Wicking Centre, Professor Andrew Robinson, said the grants would build on the extensive work under way in Tasmania.
"The Wicking Centre is at the forefront of research and support when it comes to understanding the disease and the needs of people with dementia and their carers," Professor Robinson said.
"With an ageing population, dementia is an ever-increasing issue in health and community care.
"As we continue to strive for ever better prevention and, eventually, a cure, we must also focus on the education and support of the healthcare workers and carers working with people with dementia."
This is the first round of funding under the National Health and Medical Research Council-Australian Research Council Dementia Research Developmental Fellowships Scheme.
