125 | UK Enterprise Awards 2022 It’s estimated that by 2025, the number of people living with dementia in the UK will exceed 1 million. Although there is still no cure for this prevalent disease, early diagnosis is crucial to improving the lives of those affected. Northern Ireland-based company, Nightingale Analytics, have created a solution to speed up and reduce the costs associated with identifying a timely diagnosis. We speak to the CEO, Brendan Crossey, to find out more. According to the Alzheimer’s Society, in 2020 dementia accounted for around 14.5% of total deaths in the UK. It is currently the only top 10 disease without a cure. The associated annual cost of supporting people with dementia is over £36 billion. Reducing the time, it takes to get a diagnosis result lowers associated costs and improves the lives of patients and their families. Since 2017, Craigavon company, Nightingale Analytics, has been developing solutions to support GPs and their patients through the diagnostic phase. Brendan tells us, “When a person experiences changes in memory, thinking or ability they want to know what is causing these problems, get an accurate diagnosis and treatment pan with information about what to expect. But some are reluctant to mention such concerns because they fear a diagnosis of dementia and the future it foreshadows. This leads to underdiagnosis.” Not all changes in memory and thinking are because of a dementia, Alzheimer’s disease being the most common form of dementia. There are a variety of other causes which can be treated. For example, side effects from medication, metabolic and endocrine derangements, and delirium due to illness and depression. The Lancet Commission stated, in its 2020 report, “Effective dementia prevention, intervention, and care could transform the future for society and vastly improve living and dying for individuals with dementia and their families.” The report identified 12 risk factors which, if addressed, could delay, or prevent 40% of dementia cases. Brendan explains, “Now that we know timely intervention and care can slow the progression of dementia, it’s vital that we develop a standard assessment process across all services. This reduces diagnosis timescales which in turn improves outcomes for patients and carers. The challenge is to standardise assessments, increase accuracy, and avoid unnecessary and often stressful referrals to specialists. This optimises both time and cost.” Many GPs do not feel they have adequate training to diagnose dementia. And so the majority of patients currently have to wait for a specialist consultation. But Nightingale Analytics has developed an easy-to-use app that allows the collection of relevant patient data. This data will be utilised to develop a series of machine learning algorithms which will assist GP’s and dementia specialists to deliver timely and May22522 Best Dementia Diagnosis Clinical Decision Platform 2022 accurate dementia diagnoses. The two-step process is being developed in partnership with NHS dementia specialists and academics at Ulster University. As part of its continuous improvement strategy, the Nightingale Analytics team refines its algorithm using feedback from clinical specialists. The standardisation of the assessment process allows for service benchmarking and better management. We ask Brendan what changes he’s seen in the industry due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He explains, “Healthcare providers have adopted a new approach to how they support innovation. New digital technologies are being adopted by looking at the whole process. Balancing speed of approval, procurement policies, resource allocation and safety considerations are helping to make improvements more quickly.” Brandan continues, “Early health technology assessment (HTA) has gained traction. Considering the impact of a new product and its viability during development, rather than after the product has been developed has improved efficiency. Capturing and incorporating clinical needs, acceptance and end-user preferences at an early stage, optimises product design and development. Early consideration of ‘how to make it work for users’ helps ensure that the technology is a good fit for the clinical environment.” Nightingale Analytics is working with healthcare providers to offer a new care pathway. The company estimates up to 40% fewer patients will need a specialist referral to get an initial diagnosis via this pathway. To find out more please visit the website. Contact: Brendan Crossey Company: Nightingale Analytics Web Address: www.nightingaleanalytics.co.uk
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