What is a Memory Clinic? Find a Memory Clinic Near You
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You may have noticed your loved one is beginning to forget things on a day-to-day basis. If this is the case, it’s a good idea to suggest they speak with their GP about the next steps and getting a diagnosis - as they could be in the early stages of dementia.
If your loved one is having memory problems, they may be referred to a memory clinic by their GP or after spending time in the hospital.
In this article, we’ve explained what a memory clinic is, how to get an appointment, how they assess people, the next steps and how to find a memory clinic near you.
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In this article:
- What is a memory clinic?
- Why are people referred?
- Getting an appointment
- What happens next?
- How to find a memory clinic near you
- Find dementia care near you
What is a Memory Clinic?
At a memory clinic, your loved one will have their potential memory loss assessed and diagnosed, before treatment options and additional support are provided. These clinics are staffed by memory and dementia specialists, including neuropsychologists and specialist nurses.
Advice may also be offered to your GP (general practitioner), carers, family members or friends, with the goal of best supporting you or your loved one through memory loss.
Your loved one will be given a detailed care plan that clearly outlines all of the above, depending on their results.
Why Are People Referred To Memory Clinics?
People are referred to a memory clinic when a family member or close friend expresses concerns about their memory or cognitive ability (brain and nervous system function).
Your GP may prescribe a memory test to check your ability related to memory and thinking clearly. These tests are known as cognitive assessments and are often performed within a specialist facility such as a memory clinic.
In many cases, your GP will have performed an initial evaluation and decided more specialist support is required.
Getting an Appointment at a Memory Clinic
You should first speak to your GP or similar health professionals if you’re concerned about your or somebody else’s memory loss. They’ll provide a general assessment.
After this initial evaluation, they may then refer your loved one directly to a memory clinic. Alternatively, they could refer your loved one to a different specialist first, and this specialist may then refer your loved one to a memory clinic if they see fit.
The majority of local councils and authorities run memory clinics, often in partnership with the NHS.
Referrals can often take up to 5-6 weeks to be processed, though this will vary slightly, depending on whereabouts in the UK you live.
There are also private memory clinics which you can directly contact about booking an appointment.
What Happens Next?
After your loved one is assessed, they may then be referred to a different facility - such as if they need an MRI or CAT scan.
The results of all assessments will be provided, and your loved one will be told whether another visit is necessary. The results will also be sent to relevant people such as the GP, so they’ve got them on record as well.
If your loved one is given a dementia diagnosis, such as Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia, all the necessary support and advice will be offered through a range of healthcare professionals, including medication and counselling. Memory clinic staff are experienced in this field, so will be able to answer any questions relating to the diagnosis and what happens next.
Specific dementia care may also be recommended, such as within a dementia care home.
We’re here to help you find the right dementia care home for you or your loved one. You can request a free list of dementia care homes from our care experts, who will then share homes matching your budget and location. You can also search for a dementia care home through our easy-to-use directory.
How to Find a Memory Clinic Near You
To make your search easier, we’ve provided a handful of memory clinics in the different regions of the UK.
You can also speak to your doctor or GP about local memory clinics. If they choose to refer you, they’ll tell you about clinics in your area.
South West
Devon Memory Service
The Devon Memory Service has three locations across Devon. They can be found in Exeter, Torbay and Barnstaple.
They’ll assess you following a GP referral.
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
The Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is a memory assessment service based in nine locations across the county of Somerset, including in Chard, Taunton and Yeovil.
Click the link above for all nine locations and their addresses.
South East and London
NHS Sussex Partnership
These facilities offer memory and dementia assessment services through the NHS Foundation Trust.
They’re located throughout Sussex, including in West Sussex - Horsham, Chichester and Worthing - and East Sussex - Crowborough and Uckfield.
Cromwell Hospital
This private hospital is located in the borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London.
Phoenix Hospital Group
This private memory clinic is located in the City of Westminster in central London.
East of England
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
A community memory assessment service in East Suffolk.
They have clinics across the county, including in Ipswich, Hadleigh, Stowmarket and Framlingham.
NHS Essex Partnership
A memory assessment service in Essex.
Their clinics are found in Basildon, Brentwood, Westcliff-on-Sea, Grays and Colchester.
West Midlands
Black Country Healthcare
This is a memory assessment service operated through the NHS Foundation Trust.
It’s aimed at people aged 45 and over living in Sandwell, as well as people aged 65 and over living in Wolverhampton.
Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health
This is also a memory assessment service run through the NHS Foundation Trust.
This trust is for people who have been referred and are living in either Birmingham or Solihull.
East Midlands
NHS Nottinghamshire Healthcare
A memory assessment service for older adults based in Nottingham.
NHS Leicestershire Partnership
Memory services for older adults based in Leicester.
Yorkshire and the Humber
The Yorkshire Clinic
The Yorkshire Clinic offers a range of dementia-related services. This is a private healthcare clinic.
They’re based in West Yorkshire, near Bingley.
NHS South West Yorkshire Partnership
A memory service based in Wakefield.
A variety of services are available here. They work alongside the Alzheimer’s Society to cater for all dementia-related needs.
North East
NHS Foundation Trust Newcastle
A memory assessment service based in Newcastle.
This branch of the NHS is aimed at people across North East England.
NHS Foundation Trust Northumberland
This memory assessment service based in Ashington, Northumberland is aimed at people living in similar areas to the memory clinic above.
North West
NHS Greater Manchester Mental Health
Specialist services that comprehensively assess the cause and nature of somebody’s memory difficulties.
They’re based at North Manchester General Hospital and Wythenshawe Hospital - with both of these being found in Greater Manchester.
Mersey Care
Mersey Care provides memory assessment and treatment services through the NHS Trust.
These services are available across Merseyside and Cheshire, including in Halton, St Helens and Warrington.
Wales
Cardiff and Vale Action for Mental Health
The Cardiff Memory Team at this facility will assess people experiencing forgetfulness. Their team comprises doctors, specialist nurses and clinical psychologists.
Hywel Dda University Health Board
This local health board of NHS Wales covers around 400,000, including those living in the counties of Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.
Scotland
Rubislaw Place Medical Group
Based in Aberdeen, the Rubislaw Medical Group advise you to initially book an appointment with one of their GPs. They’ll then provide an assessment before referring you to the clinic for further appointments if necessary.
Tayside Complete Health
This is a private memory clinic based in Dundee, Angus.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are memory clinics just for dementia?
Memory clinics aren’t just for people who have or may have dementia. They look at a variety of conditions linked to the brain and cognition, including different forms of dementia such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, strokes and brain injuries.
Which type of doctors treat memory-related conditions?
Neurologists specialise in studying and treating conditions related to the brain. Behavioural neurologists in particular focus on cognitive conditions such as memory loss. This type of doctor is trained to identify the cause of difficulties related to memory.
Psychiatrists, psychologists and geriatricians may also treat conditions relating to memory or dementia.
Are memory clinics better than visiting your GP?
Memory clinics will focus on specific memory difficulties or conditions. The staff in these clinics are trained to identify or look out for certain things, as well as be able to identify the cause of memory loss. They’ll also be on hand to provide you or your loved one with tailored advice and support where needed.
