Memory Assessment Service

When you attend the Memory Clinic we will try to give you an answer to the questions you have about your memory changes.

We offer comprehensive assessment of memory and thinking skills to help you and those around you understand the nature of any changes to your memory.

If you are concerned about your memory please consult your GP surgery first. There are many reasons for changes in memory and thinking skills, some of these relate to physical health and your doctor can check this for you.

If a problem is identified then we will advise you and your family doctor how best to address the problem. In many cases the Memory Service team will offer you the treatment or intervention that may be required to help with your memory changes.

We will only carry out our tests if you wish us to. Those who choose to attend do so because they are concerned about a change in the way that their memory works and worried that this may be serious.

There are four steps in assessing memory problems, these are:

Step 1 You will meet with a nurse specialist
Who will gather information about the changes in your memory, your medical background and more general history. With your consent, they will also ask a friend or family member to comment. The nurse will also carry out a brief 15 minute check of your memory and thinking skills. This appointment will likely last around 90 minutes.

Step 2 Case discussion 
The information gathered will be discussed in a clinical meeting with members of our psychiatry and psychology teams.

Step 3 Further investigations
If you agree, we will refer you for a brain scan at Colchester General Hospital. This is a painless procedure. Some people, depending on their score on the brief test they did in step 1, will also be invited to see a member of our psychology team for more detailed pencil and paper testing. This involves a series of tests designed to more accurately compare your skills to those of the same age and educational background. Sometimes people might also be referred for other physical investigations by their GP (such as EEG reading for those with epilepsy).

Step 4 Review of results and feedback
Once the results of all of the investigations have been received, the team will meet to review them. You will then be invited to a feedback appointment with a member of the team to discuss the results and next steps. These appointments can be arranged in clinic or over the telephone.

Locations