Exploring the care and treatment gap for people with likely dementia in prison (VC2608)

About the Project

The University of the West of Scotland (UWS) is seeking to attract a PhD candidate of outstanding ability and commitment to join its vibrant and growing programme of internationally excellent research.

This studentship will identify diagnostic pathways, barriers and enablers to providing dementia assessment and diagnostic services to people with likely dementia in prison and make recommendations as to how these could be improved.

The UK prison population is rapidly aging and the number of prisoners over 60 has trebled in the last two decades (Ministry of Justice, 2022). Older prisoners often have complex health and care needs (Gilling McIntosh et al., 2023). Prisoners are at higher risk and have higher prevalence of dementia than the general population (Perez et al.,2021).

UK prison health care is based on the principle of equivalence; the quality and accessibility of care should be equivalent to what is offered to the general population. However, prison health care is significantly under resourced and understaffed (House of Commons Health and Care Committee, 2018, Ismail, 2020; Mental Welfare Commission, 2022). Our previous research suggests equivalence does not exist in relation to dementia diagnosis, treatment and care. It showed those with a likely dementia often remain undiagnosed, without treatment or support due to a lack of clear referral pathways and or access to specialist assessment services (MacRae at el., 2024, 2025). This has serious implications for prisoner wellbeing, the progression of the condition, and more broadly the safe, effective and humane management of this vulnerable group.

A care gap is unmet need across three domains: mental, physical and psychosocial health and care (Pathare, et al., 2018). Utilising a collective case study approach, this studentship aims to identify the care gap in relation to how those with a likely dementia are assessed and diagnosed. It will explore the barriers and enablers to providing dementia assessment and diagnostic services and make recommendations to support a collaborative approach to diagnosis between prison healthcare and community dementia assessment teams.

Candidate Eligibility Criteria

We are looking for a candidate with a 1st or 2nd class undergraduate degree in a relevant social science discipline, who can demonstrate knowledge and understanding of research methods, ability to conduct a literature review and manage and analyse data sets. It would be desirable if the candidate had a relevant post graduate degree qualification, awareness of ethical issues working with human participants, and ability to work with key stakeholders.

The successful candidate must meet the following criteria:

• be a UK National (meeting residency requirements),
• or have settled status,
• or have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements),
• or have indefinite leave to remain

For more information or to discuss the project informally please contact Rhoda.macrae@uws.ac.uk.

Applications must be made via the UWS Online System.

Application Deadline: 15th June 2026

Programme Start date: 1st October 2026

Funding Notes

This is a fully funded PhD Studentship and includes payment of tuition fees for 36 months at the home/UK rate and an annual maintenance stipend equivalent to UKRI minimum stipend rate (£21,805pa from 01/10/2026).

The successful candidate must meet the following criteria:

• be a UK National (meeting residency requirements),
• or have settled status,
• or have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements),
• or have indefinite leave to remain