For the first time in ten years, the “ivory tower” of medical research is opening its doors to the public. Monash University has officially launched a public consultation on the first major update to Australia’s National Clinical Practice Guidelines for dementia since 2016, offering a rare opportunity for patients and families to influence the future of healthcare.
The stakes could not be higher. With the number of Australians living with dementia expected to balloon from 425,000 today to over 1.1 million by 2065, the medical community is acknowledging that a “doctor-knows-best” approach is no longer enough to meet the coming tide.
The world of 2016 was a very different place for dementia patients. Since then, the medical landscape has been transformed by the emergence of blood-based biomarkers and sophisticated brain scans that can detect proteins long before symptoms appear.
Professor Velandai Srikanth, Director of the National Centre for Healthy Ageing and co-chair of the update, says the revision is a necessary response to these rapid shifts.
“The landscape of dementia care has shifted significantly since 2016, particularly with advances in diagnostics and emerging treatments,” Professor Srikanth said. “This draft aims to ensure health professionals are equipped with the most current evidence to support their patients.”
The proposed guidelines do more than just update drug protocols. They tackle the complex, everyday realities of the condition that often fall through the cracks of standard clinical care. This includes everything from driving assessments and “deprescribing” unnecessary medications to the sensitive communication required for end-of-life care.
Perhaps most significantly, the draft examines whether lifestyle changes can effectively protect brain health, shifting the focus from late-stage management to early prevention.
In a move towards radical inclusion, the draft has already been shaped by an 11-person Living Experience Advisory Group, made up of people living with dementia and their carers. Now, that conversation is being extended to the wider community.
Professor Simon Bell, Director of the Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, emphasised that the goal is a framework that works for those on the front lines of care, not just those in a lab.
“We have developed the Guidelines with input from people who deliver and receive care at all stages,” Professor Bell said. “Through the public consultation process, we look forward to further feedback from people with dementia, clinicians, support organisations and the broader community.”
How to have your say
The public consultation period is officially open, and Monash University is seeking feedback from all corners of the community. You do not need to be a medical professional to participate.
Download the Draft: You can review the full proposed update on the Monash Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences website.
Submit Feedback: Detailed instructions on how to submit your comments or complete the consultation survey are available via the portal.
Get in Touch: For specific questions regarding the consultation process, you can contact the project team directly at dementia.guidelines@monash.edu.
Register for Updates: You can also register your interest to receive ongoing progress reports and invitations to future webinars.
Why your voice matters
Dementia care is not just a health issue; it is a massive economic and social challenge. The condition currently costs the health system $4.7 billion annually, a figure set to nearly double to $9 billion by 2036.
By participating in the consultation, Australians have a chance to ensure that the $1.3 million government-funded project results in a “powerful resource for making informed healthcare choices,” rather than just another clinical document.
As the project enters this critical phase, the message from Monash is clear: the experts have had their say, now it’s your turn.
