Development of a Pilot Specialist Dementia Nurse at a Tertiary Victorian Hospital

Rebecca Leahy, Dina LoGiudice, Joanne Tropea, Fleur O, Sharne Donoghue, Jenna Dennison, Alissa Westphal, Aaron B. Wong, Dayalini Kumarasamy, Kathryn A. Ellis, Nicola T. Lautenschlager, Allied Health Department, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Department of Medicine , Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Wellbeing in Ageing Team, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Department of Aged Care, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Royal Melbourne Hospital Mental Health Services, Royal Melbourne Hospital

Dementia: The International Journal of Social Research and Practice

Published online on August 13, 2025

Abstract

Dementia, Volume 25, Issue 4, Page 718-735, May 2026.
The pathway to a diagnosis of dementia and post-diagnostic support can be complicated for people living with dementia and their support networks, leading to delays in care. This paper describes the development and subsequent pilot of a specialist dementia ...