The UK Dementia and Palliative Care Conference 2026 - Rowcroft Hospice

An Award-Winning Model of Palliative Dementia Care - Gemma Del Toro

From a chance conversation to an award-winning model of palliative dementia care In this episode, the development of an innovative Dementia Palliative Care Service in Derbyshire is explored, addressing gaps in end-of-life support for people living with dementia. Through collaboration across health, social care, and voluntary sectors, the service demonstrated strong impact and gained national recognition. Now informing a gold-standard NHS England model, this session highlights how local innovation can shape the future of dementia palliative care on a national scale. https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-del-toro-66433114a/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-del-toro-66433114a/] This podcast is free to listen - but the care behind it isn’t. Rowcroft Hospice [https://rowcrofthospice.org.uk/] is a registered charity, and much of our work is made possible thanks to the generosity of local supporters. We provide outstanding care to people with life-limiting illnesses and their families across South Devon—through our inpatient and outpatient services, as well as vital care at home. We’re also planning to expand our impact even further, with a pioneering 60-bed dementia and complex nursing care home at our site in Torquay, designed to support some of the most vulnerable people in our community. If you’ve found value in this podcast and would like to support our work, please visit rowcrofthospice.org.uk/donate [https://www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk/donate] thank you. This podcast series is recorded and produced by Steve Hindley at iNarrator [https://www.inarrator.co.uk/]

Palliative care for people with dementia – Uneasy Bedfellows - Prof Catherine Walshe

Professor Catherine Walshe explores the complexities of delivering high-quality palliative care for people with advanced dementia. Combining an overview of current research with interactive discussion, the session highlights the challenges faced by both dementia care specialists and palliative care professionals. It offers valuable insight into how different perspectives can be better aligned to improve care for those living with advanced dementia. https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-walshe-60567b71/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-walshe-60567b71/] This podcast is free to listen - but the care behind it isn’t. Rowcroft Hospice [https://rowcrofthospice.org.uk/] is a registered charity, and much of our work is made possible thanks to the generosity of local supporters. We provide outstanding care to people with life-limiting illnesses and their families across South Devon—through our inpatient and outpatient services, as well as vital care at home. We’re also planning to expand our impact even further, with a pioneering 60-bed dementia and complex nursing care home at our site in Torquay, designed to support some of the most vulnerable people in our community. If you’ve found value in this podcast and would like to support our work, please visit rowcrofthospice.org.uk/donate [https://www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk/donate] thank you. This podcast series is recorded and produced by Steve Hindley at iNarrator [https://www.inarrator.co.uk/]

The Empathy Suit experience - Isobel Jones CEO Alive

In this interactive session, Isobel Jones introduced a 13-piece empathy suit designed to simulate the physical and sensory challenges of living with dementia. By experiencing everyday tasks with restricted movement, vision, and hearing, participants gained first-hand insight into the realities of dementia. The session highlighted the importance of empathy in care, encouraging a more compassionate and person-centred approach to supporting those living with the condition. https://www.linkedin.com/in/isobel-jones-145b662a/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/isobel-jones-145b662a/] This podcast is free to listen - but the care behind it isn’t. Rowcroft Hospice [https://rowcrofthospice.org.uk/] is a registered charity, and much of our work is made possible thanks to the generosity of local supporters. We provide outstanding care to people with life-limiting illnesses and their families across South Devon—through our inpatient and outpatient services, as well as vital care at home. We’re also planning to expand our impact even further, with a pioneering 60-bed dementia and complex nursing care home at our site in Torquay, designed to support some of the most vulnerable people in our community. If you’ve found value in this podcast and would like to support our work, please visit rowcrofthospice.org.uk/donate [https://www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk/donate] thank you. This podcast series is recorded and produced by Steve Hindley at iNarrator [https://www.inarrator.co.uk/]

Advance care planning in dementia – from the latest research to new practice - Dr Jenny van der Steen

In this session, the complexities of advance care planning in dementia are explored, with a focus on meaningful communication and person-centred care. Drawing on guidance from the European Association for Palliative Care, the discussion highlights the importance of involving families, adapting conversations to individual capacity, and viewing advance care planning as an ongoing process rather than a one-off decision. The session also outlines practical approaches and tools to support earlier, more inclusive conversations, helping ensure care reflects what matters most to the person living with dementia. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-van-der-steen-van-kampen-0b645958/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-van-der-steen-van-kampen-0b645958/] This podcast is free to listen - but the care behind it isn’t. Rowcroft Hospice [https://rowcrofthospice.org.uk/] is a registered charity, and much of our work is made possible thanks to the generosity of local supporters. We provide outstanding care to people with life-limiting illnesses and their families across South Devon—through our inpatient and outpatient services, as well as vital care at home. We’re also planning to expand our impact even further, with a pioneering 60-bed dementia and complex nursing care home at our site in Torquay, designed to support some of the most vulnerable people in our community. If you’ve found value in this podcast and would like to support our work, please visit rowcrofthospice.org.uk/donate [https://www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk/donate] thank you. This podcast series is recorded and produced by Steve Hindley at iNarrator [https://www.inarrator.co.uk/]

Just let me choose: Eating, drinking and the right to decide - Dr Anna Volkmer & Alison Smith

In this episode, the challenges surrounding eating, drinking, and swallowing in dementia are explored, alongside the impact on health and quality of life. The discussion highlights the balance between clinical recommendations and individual preferences, emphasising the importance of autonomy and the right to make personal choices. Focusing on positive risk-taking, the session encourages a person-centred approach that respects dignity while supporting wellbeing. https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-anna-volkmer-655916a3/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-anna-volkmer-655916a3/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-smith-080318120/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-smith-080318120/] This podcast is free to listen - but the care behind it isn’t. Rowcroft Hospice [https://rowcrofthospice.org.uk/] is a registered charity, and much of our work is made possible thanks to the generosity of local supporters. We provide outstanding care to people with life-limiting illnesses and their families across South Devon—through our inpatient and outpatient services, as well as vital care at home. We’re also planning to expand our impact even further, with a pioneering 60-bed dementia and complex nursing care home at our site in Torquay, designed to support some of the most vulnerable people in our community. If you’ve found value in this podcast and would like to support our work, please visit rowcrofthospice.org.uk/donate [https://www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk/donate] thank you. This podcast series is recorded and produced by Steve Hindley at iNarrator [https://www.inarrator.co.uk/]