RecruitingObservational

The evaluation of a meeting centre in a hospital

Hospital stays can be difficult for people with dementia. This study explores a new 'Meeting Centre' at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Dundee, designed to support people with mild to moderate dementia and their families during their time in hospital. Researchers want to understand what works well and what challenges there might be in running such a centre. They will also look at how it affects patients' wellbeing, hospital staff, and visitors. The goal is to see if this type of centre improves the hospital experience and if similar places could be set up in other hospitals across the UK to help more people.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University of Worcester

Enrolment target

916

Start

01 Aug 2025

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2026

Supporting people living with dementia during their hospital stay

What is this study about?

When people with dementia need to stay in hospital, it can sometimes be a confusing and upsetting experience. To help make things better, the Royal Victoria Hospital in Dundee has started a special support space called a 'Meeting Centre'. These centres are usually found in local communities and offer a friendly place for people with dementia and their loved ones to get support, meet others, and enjoy social activities. This study wants to find out if having a Meeting Centre inside a hospital makes a real difference to people's health and happiness.

The researchers will be watching closely to see how this Meeting Centre works in a hospital setting. They want to learn what helps it run smoothly and what challenges it might face. They'll talk to patients with dementia, their families, and the hospital staff to hear about their experiences. They'll also look at things like how long patients stay in hospital and how often they might feel stressed or upset, both before and after the centre opened.

Ultimately, this research aims to figure out if having a Meeting Centre in a hospital truly improves the care and experience for people with dementia. The findings could be very important, helping other hospitals across the UK to set up similar successful centres, making hospital stays less stressful for many more people with dementia and their families.

Key takeaways

This study evaluates a Meeting Centre within a hospital for people with dementia.
It aims to improve hospital experiences for patients, families, and staff.
Participation involves sharing experiences through surveys or interviews.
Your feedback could help set up similar centres across the UK.
You can stop participating at any time if you feel uncomfortable.

Who may be eligible?

You might be able to take part if you are aged 18 or over.

This study is for people who have been involved with the Meeting Centre at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Dundee. This includes patients with dementia who have attended the centre, family members or visitors of those patients, and staff (including students and volunteers) who work at the Meeting Centre. Hospital staff at the Royal Victoria Hospital who care for people with dementia can also take part.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Have you attended the Meeting Centre at Royal Victoria Hospital, Dundee, as a patient with dementia?
Are you a family member or visitor of a patient with dementia who attended the Meeting Centre at Royal Victoria Hospital?
Are you staff (including students/volunteers) involved with the Meeting Centre at Royal Victoria Hospital?
Do you work as clinical staff at Royal Victoria Hospital supporting people with dementia?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you might be asked to fill out surveys about how you're feeling physically and emotionally. Some people will also be invited to have an interview, where you can share your detailed experiences and opinions about the Meeting Centre. If you're a staff member, student, or volunteer, you might be asked to join a group discussion (called a focus group) or complete a survey. The study will also look at some general hospital information, like how long people stay in hospital, but this data will not be linked directly to you.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part gives you a chance to share your thoughts and experiences, helping to shape how Meeting Centres are run in hospitals in the future. You might feel a sense of satisfaction knowing you're helping others, and researchers will provide a list of support groups if you need them. The main risk is that talking about your experiences might bring up uncomfortable memories. You don't have to answer any question you don't like, and you can stop your interview or leave a discussion at any time. Researchers are trained to spot any signs of distress and will move the conversation on or offer support if needed. Discussions will happen in the Meeting Centre itself, with staff on hand to help if you get upset.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

NHS Tayside
City only
Dundee, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is a Meeting Centre?

It's a special place, often in the community, that helps people with mild to moderate dementia and their families. It offers support, social activities, and advice.

Where is this study taking place?

The study is focused on the Meeting Centre at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Dundee, Scotland.

When does the study start and end?

It began in July 2025 and is expected to finish in December 2026.

Who is paying for this research?

The study is funded by the NHS Tayside Charitable Foundation.

Who can I contact for more information?

You can contact Dr Shirley Evans at shirley.evans@worc.ac.uk.

How to find out more

Shirley Evans

shirley.evans@worc.ac.uk +44 (0)1905 542531 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.