Chaired by Leigh Hatcher, Broadcast Journalist and Author

Considerable debate has taken place about the form and function of “nursing” in dementia and aged care. This discussion usually comes with an assumption that nurse equals compassionate people who provide quality clinical care and are excellent managers. But do  these skills and qualities go together and can we expect all aged care nurses to provide this? Is the word nurse being used to shorthand the care, compassion and knowledge we want in the support of older citizens and is less about the discipline of nursing? With the number of nurses decreasing internationally what is the future role of nursing in dementia care, where is nursing knowledge and skill most valuable. When does a person with dementia need the skills of a nurse and when do they need a person?

An international panel of nurses will debate and consider this most important of questions as we consider the future of nursing in dementia care.