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Although members of the United Kingdom (UK) South Asian population appear to have an elevated risk of developing dementia, this population accesses dementia services less frequently, compared with the majority white population. The disparity between the prevalence of people with dementia and the reported incidence of dementia, especially among South Asian populations (the UK‟s largest ethnic minority), is of concern to public health service providers. This study aimed to identify the socio-cultural issues in accessing dementia services in the population living in Blackburn with Darwen [BwD], in the Northwest of England. This qualitative study explores how members of the BwD South Asian Indian and Pakistani population perceive dementia, and how their family members engage with local dementia care services and with healthcare professionals providing dementia services. Data collection included: three focus groups with thirteen people involved in a community project; two interviews with people living with dementia and their family members; and eight interviews with nine dementia services healthcare professionals [HCPs]. The data was analysed using thematic analysis. The findings suggest that members of the South Asian population are under-represented in dementia diagnostic services. Firstly, this appears to be due to a lack of knowledge in the Muslim South Asian Indian and Pakistani community about the nature of dementia. Various negative perceptions of dementia, influenced by cultural beliefs, were also identified which lead to people with dementia being stigmatised and hidden from public view by their families. This may explain why health professionals report that this population seeks help at a later stage of the illness, and thus there is an argument for public health services to develop culturally relevant outreach programmes.

Background: Dementia is characterised by a set of symptoms that affect the functioning of the brain. It is estimated that there are 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK and 46 million people worldwide – more than 60% of whom are women. In the UK, approximately one third of people with dementia live in care settings where staff may apply restrictive interventions guided by legislative frameworks. Aim: To understand the management of restrictive intervention practice by mental health workers in an acute mental health setting for people with dementia. Methods: An interpretive descriptive study was undertaken. Vignettes were developed using evidence based literature, case law and practice guidance and used to frame semi-structured interviews. Mental health workers and practice leaders were purposively sampled and interviewed from an English NHS Foundation Trust which provides mental health services across two counties. Thematic analysis of data was undertaken which followed six phases and utilised NVIVO-10. Results: Four key themes were identified: 1) legislation, 2) policy, 3) training and supervision and 4) person-centred restrictive intervention practice. Discussion: Practice leaders are able to translate knowledge from legislation to frame restrictive intervention policy, practice guidance and training content for mental health workers. Mental health workers can then deliver restrictive intervention practice based on person-centred care principles although specific characteristics such as gender may not be acknowledged as shaping a person’s experience of dementia. A ‘Model of Translated Ways of Knowing’ was developed that demonstrates the knowledge journey from legislation to practice. Conclusions: Restrictive intervention practice can be enabled when legislation, case law, research and national policy are translated into an accessible format for mental health workers. Translated knowledge can then facilitate person-centred restrictive interventions for people with dementia.