Rowcroft Hospice leads the way in dementia care innovation

As Dementia Awareness Week shines a spotlight on the increasing prevalence and impact of dementia in communities across the UK, Rowcroft Hospice has announced a major new initiative that reaffirms its commitment to compassionate and expert dementia care. The Torquay-based charity is introducing a new Clinical Lead for Dementia Care, a pivotal role that will guide the strategic direction of dementia services across all areas of the organisation.

With more than 14,000 people in Devon currently living with dementia, demand for specialist palliative support is rising sharply. This new leadership position aims to ensure that individuals with dementia receive care that is not only clinically robust but also deeply respectful, tailored, and sensitive to their unique needs—particularly at the end of life.

“With more people living with dementia being referred to us for palliative care, this new role couldn’t come at a better time,” said Vicky Bartlett, Rowcroft’s Director of Patient Care.
“It will build on our existing expertise and ensure dementia care is consistently embedded across all our clinical services. As well as carrying out an in-depth audit, we’ll be delivering specialist training for our teams and enhancing our physical spaces – for example, with better signage and lighting, use of colour and dementia-friendly devices – to help people feel more comfortable, safe and supported in our care.”

The new role will lead the development of best-practice care strategies, implement environment improvements across Rowcroft’s facilities, and roll out a comprehensive training programme for clinical staff to deepen their knowledge of dementia, refine communication skills, and bolster confidence in delivering personalised support.

“At the heart of expert dementia care is the understanding that every person is unique, with their own story, needs and ways of communicating,” said Debby Hill, Occupational Therapist at Rowcroft.
“We aim to deepen our commitment to truly person-centred care – care that prioritises the person, rather than the diagnosis. We’ll be drawing on best practice and the voices of people with lived experience to shape services that are compassionate, responsive and empowering. It’s about supporting people to live well with dementia, right to the end of life – and ensuring they feel safe, valued and understood every step of the way.”

Rowcroft’s announcement builds on a series of high-profile initiatives that have cemented its reputation as a leader in dementia and palliative care. In March, the hospice hosted its second UK Dementia and Palliative Care Conference at Buckfast Abbey, attracting over 100 delegates and healthcare leaders from across the UK—including representatives from Hospice UK. The event focused on the latest research, care innovations, and collaborative strategies in the sector. A podcast series featuring talks and highlights from the conference will soon be available on Rowcroft’s website: rowcrofthospice.org.uk/dementia.

The hospice is also an active member of the EMPOWER Dementia Network Plus, a collective working to shape national policy and research priorities. Most recently, Rowcroft held a creative workshop in Torquay, bringing together people with lived experience of dementia to share personal insights, which have helped inform a new national manifesto for dementia care.

Further validating its leadership, Rowcroft has been shortlisted for the Dementia Trainer and Workforce Development Award in the upcoming Dementia in Care Awards. The recognition celebrates the hospice’s commitment to empowering staff through robust education and ongoing training. Winners will be announced on 19 June.

In line with its forward-thinking vision, Rowcroft has set its sights on an ambitious new project: Lavender Square, a purpose-built nursing home located within the hospice’s grounds. Designed specifically for people living with dementia and other complex health conditions, Lavender Square will feature dementia-friendly architecture, intuitive layouts, sensory gardens, calming environments, and practical memory aids. Once operational, the facility will provide exceptional care while generating sustainable income to support the hospice’s wider services.

Through strategic leadership, national collaboration, and a bold approach to facility development, Rowcroft Hospice is helping to redefine what compassionate, person-centred dementia care can and should look like—today and into the future.