Experiencing paramedic care: Setting the future research agendas in dementia urgent and emergency care

People living with dementia often have complex health needs – including conditions like diabetes, frailty, and a higher risk of falls. As a result, they’re more likely to need urgent and emergency care, yet their experience in these high-pressure situations is often poor and overlooked. In England alone, emergency hospital admissions for people with dementia rose by 35% between 2012 and 2018. When they are admitted, outcomes tend to be worse – including longer hospital stays, more frequent readmissions, and higher mortality rates. Ambulance staff such as paramedics are often the first point of contact in these situations, making them a crucial part of the care pathway for people with dementia. While there are policies encouraging paramedics to deliver more person-centred dementia care, we know very little about how people with dementia experience emergency care – and even less about what research is most needed to improve it. This study aims to fill that gap. First, we’ll speak directly with people living with dementia about their experiences during emergancy encounters. Then, we’ll bring together healthcare professionals, researchers, and decision-makers in a workshop to identify future research priorities in dementia care across emergency and urgent care services. By giving people with dementia a voice in shaping future research, and engaging key stakeholders in setting priorities, we hope to drive real improvements in care and outcomes. Ultimately, this work will lay the foundation for future studies and funding proposals that better reflect the needs and preferences of those living with dementia, helping to make emergency and urgent care more compassionate, effective, and person-centred.