Memory Clinics
The Institute runs a weekly Memory Clinic and a Nurse led Community Memory screening Clinic (CMSC) to help those people who are concerned about memory loss; whether for themselves or for a loved one.
| Main Memory Clinic | CMSC | |
| Referral Route | GP or other health professionals. | Telephone 01225 476420 for an appointment. |
| Venue | RICE Centre, Royal United Hospital. Bath. | Bath; Bradford on Avon Keynsham; Radstock Trowbridge |
| Dates | Tuesday morning (Weekly). | Please telephone 01225 476420 for details. |
Main Memory Clinic
The Main Memory Clinic, held on Tuesday mornings.
Aims:
- To give an in-depth assessment of a person's memory function.
- To make a diagnosis and exclude and treat any reversible causes.
- To provide support and counselling to sufferers, relatives and carers and where necessary to put them in touch with the appropriate services within the community.
- To offer treatment with therapeutic agents to suitable patients and, if appropriate, participation in a clinical trial.
Procedures:
At their first appointment at the RICE Memory Clinic, patients are routinely assessed by a doctor, a nurse and possibly psychologist. The assessments are:
(a) Full medical history
(b) Neuropsychological assessment
(c) Physical examination
(d) Screening blood and urine tests
All patients are discussed at a multi-disciplinary clinical meeting. Following each visit a report is sent to the GPs so that he/she is kept fully informed.
Follow Up:
All patients from the main memory clinic will usually be followed up after six weeks when the results and the diagnosis can be discussed. The patients will then be offered possible treatment, followed up at an appropriate time interval or discharged.
Advantages:
- Early expert assessment, diagnosis and possible treatment.
- Co-ordinated multi-disciplinary assessment
- Treatment if appropriate with therapeutic agents
- Entry if appropriate into a clinical trial
- Referral to other health professionals, social services and voluntary agencies
- Advice and support to patients and carers on coping with memory problems, such as attendance at a carers course.
We are also happy to see patients already diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or vascular dementia. They can offer benefit from assessment and the opportunity to be involved in our treatment of research programme.
Community Memory Screening Clinics
These are nurse-run clinics for people over 50 years of age who live in the Bath area and who feel that they have a memory problem.
The purpose is to distinguish between early dementing illness and memory/concentration problems due to other causes such as stress and bereavement.
Procedures:
(a) General health questionnaire
(b) Brief history of memory problems
(c) Neuropsychological tests
Results are discussed with the person and permission is requested for a report to be sent to their GP. Many patients can be reassured but around 30% show signs of a possible dementing illness and will be referred to the main memory clinic for further assessment.
Advice:
Apart from diagnosis we can help with very practical advice, both about memory loss and the long-term implications. We can also help carers. Our advice relates to the medical and social problems faced by people with memory loss and dementia. The Memory Clinics are fundamental to the work of the Institute. They give us the opportunity to combine a valuable service locally with our vital research to find solutions that are widely applicable.
If you live in the Bath area and would like to attend a Memory Clinic please contact us
'Maximising Your Memory' booklet A grant from Cross Manufacturing allowed Dr Rebecca Thompson to write about how memory works and various techniques for a better memory. This book is available for patients attending clinics at RICE.
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