Service : Neuropsychology Service

We can support you if you're living with a neurological condition which is causing difficulties with your ability to think and understand (cognition), such as:

• poor memory
• problems with concentrating
• struggling with communication

We can offer guidance on a range of neurological conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis (MS), and dementia.

We take two approaches.

The first is finding the reason for the problem. We can work with you to understand why you're having difficulties with your cognition, and if this is caused by a neurological condition such as dementia.

The other approach is to help if you already have a diagnosed neurological condition. We can help you gain a better understanding on your cognition, and create care plans to minimise its disruption on your day-to-day life.

If you're of retirement age and feel that there has been a decline in your memory, it may be quicker for you to be seen through the Memory Clinic. A referral can be arranged through your GP.

To access our service, you’ll need a referral from your GP or healthcare professional, as long as they are based within Berkshire.

To be accepted by our service, you must be:

• aged 18 or over
• living with a neurological condition, or suspected of having a neurological condition
• experiencing cognitive difficulties that impact your life

We also accept referrals from allied health professionals (AHPs) who work for Berkshire Healthcare, and from the Department of Neurology and Neuro-rehabilitation Medicine at Royal Berkshire Hospital (RBH).

Once we've received your referral, we'll send you a letter in the post whether you've been accepted onto our waiting list.

Most patients are seen within 6 months of their referral being approved.

Unaccepted referrals

We can't currently accept: 

• self-referrals, but your GP will be happy to help get you started
• referrals for patients with an existing diagnosis of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)
• referrals for patients with neurodiversity where their cognitive difficulties are believed to be because of this diagnosis

Healthcare professionals

If you're a healthcare professional and would like to refer your patient to our service, please complete our referral form and email it to us, along with a cover letter.

Before the assessment

If we accept your referral, we’ll contact you to arrange your appointment.

You can read our leaflet which explains what to expect at your appointment.

Appointments usually take around three hours.

You’re welcome to come on your own, but bringing a relative or someone who lives with you may help us understand the challenges you’re having.

They can share what they have noticed and may be able to help you remember any details you may have forgotten.

At the assessment

We’ll talk with you about the problems you're having with your memory, how you communicate, and your thinking skills.

We'll also ask you some questions about your medical and social history.

If you use them, please remember to bring: 

• reading glasses
• hearing aids
• your medications

If you forget to bring these it may mean we are not able to complete your assessment. 

After this first clinical interview, we'll ask you to complete some short tasks, using pencil & paper and at the computer. This will help us understand your current level of cognitive functioning. 

We'll compare your performance on these tasks against other people of your age and educational background.

This can help us see whether you're having more difficulties than we might expect.

After the assessment

We’ll give you recommendations about your recovery, which may include coping techniques.

We may also guide you to other services that we think can help. This could include support groups and charities working with brain injury and neurological conditions.

At the end of your appointment, our specialist will provide you with some brief feedback. More detailed feedback will be available once we have the opportunity to score your assessment.

We can provide feedback through a written report that is also sent to your referrer and GP, or directly with you face-to-face or over the telephone.

In addition to support through the NHS, many of our patients also find it helpful to make contact with some of the following charitable organisations. They can provide both practical and emotional support to those living with neurological conditions.

Headway

Headway work with adults of all ages helping them live with brain injury.

• Visit Headway website

Parkinson's UK

Use collective strength to get you better support, better treatments, and better health and care. Find out more by visiting Parkinson's UK website. 

• Visit Parkinson's UK

Multiple sclerosis (MS) Society

No matter how MS affects you, MS Society can support you every step of the way. 

• Visit MS Society

Carers UK

Provides information and advice on caring and helps carers connect with each other.

• Visit Carers UK website

Dementia UK

The specialist dementia nursing charity that is there for the whole family.

• Visit Dementia UK website

Epilepsy Action

Learn how Epilepsy Action can support you, with every day tasks and view their resources. 

• Visit Epilepsy Action website