UCL partners with The Geller Commission to advance research on dementia-related hospitalisations

UCL Division of Psychiatry and The Geller Commission have come together in a strategic partnership to enhance the review of hospital occupancy related to dementia.

The Geller Commission is a cross-sector initiative founded by Laurence Geller CBE who has personally funded its creation and this new partnership with UCL. Bringing together the country’s leading dementia organisations—Alzheimer’s Society, Dementia UK, and the UK Dementia Research Institute—The Commission focuses on developing evidence-based solutions to reduce avoidable hospital admissions and improve care pathways for people living with dementia.

Dementia represents one of the most critical challenges facing healthcare systems worldwide, with the UK alone projecting annual costs exceeding £50 billion. The condition not only places immense strain on families and caregivers, but also increases the burden on hospitals — where prolonged stays can exacerbate cognitive decline as well and increasing pressure on an already stretched health system.

Laurence Geller’s donation, totalling over £118,000, will fund vital research at UCL. This initiative includes systematic reviews, analysis of cohort study and electronic health record data, with patient and public involvement programmes, and the production of policy recommendations. UCL will also utilise cutting-edge data analysis to identify interventions that can prevent hospitalisations and improve outcomes for dementia patients.

Dr Andrew Sommerlad (UCL Division of Psychiatry), will lead the work supported by The Commission’s committee of experts and the world-class team in the UCL Faculty of Brain Sciences. Dr Sommerlad’s research focuses on understanding and improving outcomes for people with dementia through advanced clinical studies and translational research. The research produced will further The Commission’s work so far in addressing the key barriers in dementia care pathways through three pillars: pre-admission, protection, and simplification.

Dr Sommerlad said: “Hospitalisations can greatly accelerate dementia progression, undermining care continuity and placing additional strain on families and healthcare systems. With philanthropic support, such as our partnership with The Geller Commission, we are able to lead pioneering dementia research by leveraging cross-disciplinary insights to drive impactful change. Through our partnership, we intend to generate research-driven insights that can be rapidly translated into real-world practices. We look forward to further collaborating with The Commission’s impressive network of organisations, to deliver meaningful change for those living with dementia.”

Laurence Geller CBE, founder of The Geller Commission,said:"Welcoming UCL’s world-class Division of Psychiatry as an academic partner to The Commission marks a significant step forward in advancing this nation’s much needed progress on dementia care. Dementia is not just a medical condition; it is one of the most pressing personal and societal challenges of our time.

“For too long, hospital stays for people living with dementia have exacerbated their suffering, stripping away their dignity and accelerating decline. UCL’s commitment to advancing dementia research aligns fully with The Commission’s aim to bringing world-class research and innovation to the forefront of care. The financial strain of unnecessary hospitalisations diverts essential resources from preventive measures and community-based support, further exacerbating the long-term costs of dementia care.

“The Geller Commission is determined to lead meaningful change and ensure those impacted by this disease have lives of dignity and respect.”

Links

• Dr Andrew Sommerlad's academic profile
• UCL Divison of Psychiatry
• The Geller Commission

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• Credit: RDNE Stock project, Pexels