Service : Memory Clinic

We can assess, diagnose, and provide treatment if you’re concerned that you’re becoming more forgetful or having difficulty with your memory and concentration.

Assessing memory problems early means we can offer the right treatments, manage symptoms, and help plan life decisions for the future.

We do this by:

• talking with you and your family about your memory problems
• offering further tests, and possibly head scans
• arranging an appointment with a consultant psychiatrist to talk about the right treatment options for you
• referring you to a Dementia Care Advisor (DCA) and/or Carer’s Lead
• recommending other relevant agencies that may help

We suggest talking to your GP first if you have concerns about yourself or your loved one’s memory.

Your GP will offer to assess your memory, which could include a cognitive test. They may also ask you to complete a full blood test to find any possible underlying health conditions. 

Based on the results of your tests, your GP may refer you to us for further testing.

Referral criteria 

Your GP will check your results against our referral criteria and let you know if they can direct you to our service.

Your results must show evidence of:

• memory decline for more than 6 months, with supporting information
• possible memory impairment based on cognitive test scores
• a dementia blood screening
• other investigations that may be appropriate, such as urine microscopy and culture, chest X-ray, electrocardiogram (ECG), syphilis serology, and HIV testing
• ruling out reversible causes of cognitive decline, such as vitamin deficiencies, infections/delirium, depression, sensory impairment, or certain medicines

We’ll send you a confirmation letter if we’re able to accept your referral. We may also call you to find out more information to help us better understand your concerns.

We’ll then arrange your first assessment, either in our clinic or as a home visit. 

We’ll send an appointment letter along with an information leaflet that explains what to expect in your assessment.

Your first memory assessment will be around one to two hours long.

You’re welcome to bring a family member or friend to join. As they know you well, they may be able to explain the difficulties or changes you’ve been experiencing.

What to expect

We recommend that you and your family read the 'Living well while waiting for a memory assessment' guide from Next Steps. It explains what’s involved in a memory assessment.

Next Steps is a part of the Dementia Change Action Network (DCAN), which is a collaboration between Alzheimer’s Society, NHS England, and the Coalition for Personalised Care.

• Visit the Next Steps website

Assessing your memory

Memory issues are complex. We’ll offer different tests to help us learn more about your memory issues.

This will include a cognitive test, which will show a functional scoring to see if you show signs of decline in your memory. Your GP appointment may have involved some of these tests.

We then use your assessment report to make a diagnosis. We may offer further scans and tests if we need more information.  

Our consultant psychiatrist will invite you to a diagnostic review to talk about what we have found, and the right treatment options for you.

Diagnosis and treatment

If we confirm that you have dementia, we’ll offer post-diagnostic support, such as:

• information about dementia and local support services  
• an offer to participate in medical research  
• introduction to a Dementia Care Advisor
• participation in cognitive stimulation therapy (CST), if applicable
• referral for speech and language therapy, if necessary
• register you into our Living Well Programme 

• What are the treatments for dementia?