Fast Private Memory Clinic Appointments from Summerfield Healthcare

Nationwide Private Dementia Assessments

In clinic, virtual and home visits

There are multiple causes for impaired cognitive (brain) function and navigating the different services one step at a time is both confusing and time-consuming. Waiting for a referral, then blood tests, then a scan and finally follow up dementia appointments feel very disjointed and frustrating, not to mention, it takes a long time to get one.

Our private dementia service includes everything needed to reach an accurate diagnostic decision, at a fixed price and an expert report which will be accepted by the NHS. Usually, we have private dementia appointments to start the process within a week of booking and typically we complete our assessment pathway within a month

1. We must rule out physical causes which may affect cognitive performance; we have 200 locations nationally where blood tests can be undertaken.

All blood tests

Urine analysis

ECG (heart monitor)

2. Cognitive assessment

We use the Addenbrookes assessment tool – this can be done in person or virtually and assesses recall, recognition, awareness and performance.

The Addenbrookes assessment is recognised as the most appropriate validated tool for use in specialist memory services in the United Kingdom (Hodges & Larner, 2017)

3. Imaging

Included in the fee is imaging by CT or MRI scan (depending on age) – this provides objective, measurable information about the structure of the brain.

4. Specialist review and diagnosis

We arrange a concluding consultation (in person or virtually) with a Consultant Old Age Psychiatrist who specialises in dementia diagnosis.

5. Prescription

When applicable we provide a private prescription for any medication needed for the first six weeks (the cost of the medication is charged by the dispensing pharmacy).

6. Expert report

This comprehensive document draws together all the different sources of information to explain the diagnostic decision reached. This will be sent on to the patient’s GP and can be used to set out the care needs of the patient too.

Summerfield Healthcare therefore provides every element of the dementia assessment process, which we organise and co-ordinate promptly and at a fixed cost. In this way you can secure a diagnostic decision which follows NICE guidelines, undertaken by specialists and which will be recognised by the NHS.

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If the dementia assessment won’t be applicable, we also offer a Capacity Assessment that determines whether an individual has the capacity to make a particular decision at a particular time. Click on the below for further information.

Capacity Assessment

FAQs

What happens at our Memory Clinic?

“If Dementia is diagnosed early, more can be done to live well with the condition”, National Audit Office (2010) Improving Dementia Services in England: An interim report.

As a national medical concierge service, the Memory Clinic was created to provide you with the assessments, diagnosis and treatment that you need to deal with dementia quickly, that also works around your lifestyle. If you are concerned about yourself or a loved one, please contact us to book an appointment. Our bookings team are experienced and understanding, and happy to help you in any way they can.

What is the process?

During the first appointment, whether online or at the clinic, our registered mental health nurses will complete a number of questionnaires designed to assess memory and cognitive function. Our healthcare professionals will also complete a physical examination, conduct an ECG to monitor heart activity, and take a blood sample for analysis. Face-to-face appointments for the first assessment are available in our Birmingham, Cardiff, Shrewsbury & Wolverhampton clinics.

For virtual assessments, we will send you a link prior to the appointment so that we can reach you wherever you are based. We will also arrange for the ECG equipment to be sent to you directly and for blood tests to be taken at one of our partner clinics nearest to you.

It is important to bear in mind that the questionnaire and memory tests are designed to help our clinicians better understand each patient, and there is no pressure to perform well or get everything correct.

We will also arrange for a brain scan to assess the cause of any memory problems and be sure of our diagnosis. A brain scan is a straight forward test that will allow our clinicians to quickly spot any anomalies, brain shrinkage, or signs of dementia.

We have arrangements with several private scanning facilities and we will arrange a referral or appointment for scans at the hospital most convenient to you.

For an elderly person suffering with memory loss, we recognise that this can be a scary or troubling time. Our clinicians and staff are all experienced and highly skilled, and we will do everything we can to make sure you or your loved one feel comfortable and safe for the duration of the assessment.

Consultant Appointment and Diagnosis

After we have the results from tests and scans, you will meet with our consultants. This is available both remotely and face-to-face at one of our clinics. The Consultant will give you a comprehensive diagnosis and the appropriate medication, and will work with your GP to create a post-diagnostic plan.

If there is a positive diagnosis for dementia, a private prescription for anti-dementia medication can be arranged immediately.

If a diagnosis is not initially clear and further input from a psychologist or blood tests are needed, additional charges may be required for a follow-up appointment.

Aftercare

At 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months & 12 month (Annual thereafter) intervals, we now have a series of follow-up appointment to undertake further memory and general functioning assessments. During this appointment we can assess how the medication has worked, understand if there have been any side effects that we need to consider or treat, and then provide a further prescription of medication to last until the next appointment.

Dementia medication

Medication can improve or delay symptoms of dementia and, subject to a diagnosis, is usually prescribed within a month of your initial booking.

How will Anti-dementia Medication Help?

There is currently no cure for dementia, but there are medicines and other treatments that can help with dementia symptoms.

Evidence shows that medication can have an important role in the treatment of certain types of dementia (Alzheimer’s Dementia, Mixed Alzheimer’s and Vascular dementia with predominant Alzheimer’s component, Dementia in Lewy body Disease-DLB and Parkinson’s dementia) seeking to address problems with cognition, activities of daily living and psychotic symptoms in DLB and Parkinson’s dementia.

How effective is the anti-dementia medication?

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the best source of evidence on effectiveness. Their appraisal is currently being revisited but they have concluded that, for people with mild-to moderate Alzheimer’s Disease there is a range of medications that have had positive impacts on cognition.

Further information can be found here:

https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/treatments/medications-for-memory

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dementia/treatment/

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta217/chapter/1-Guidance

How is anti-dementia medication started?

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance states that a person can only start using these medications with a prescription from a specialist in dementia care.

Following the comprehensive assessment by our Consultant Psychiatrists and their team, including blood tests, formal assessments of memory skills and scans to rule out any reversible causes for the memory problems they can decide if medication is appropriate.

Our Consultant Psychiatrist is able to prescribe mediation if appropriate and we can arrange to have it delivered to your chosen address without the need for you to attend a pharmacist. Summerfield Memory Assessment Centre works with a leading Pharmacy company to ensure that your medication is dispensed and delivered safely.

As we are a private service, prescription charges would apply which you will be informed of prior to any medication being issued. This charge will be payable direct to the pharmacy.

Why choose Summerfield Healthcare?

Summerfield Healthcare has a highly trained and specialised team working in our memory clinic. With years of experience behind them, this team has helped countless patients with a diagnosis and treatment plan to improve their quality of life.

We are able to offer a fully remote dementia assessment and treatment service, as well as having private memory clinics in Birmingham, Cardiff, Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton. We aim to see all patients within seven days of initial booking. We are flexible and sensitive to our patients’ needs, always putting your health and well-being first.

How do I book?

To enquire about our Memory Clinic,
complete our contact form,
call 0333 9000 010, or
email [email protected].

Our team are specially trained to deal with your enquiry in a professional, private and prompt manner.

How do I arrange a home visit?

Contact us via telephone, email or complete the contact form with your requirements. We are able to arrange for a healthcare professional to attend any postcode in the UK. At the visit the blood samples will be obtained, urine sample tested and ECG undertaken. We may also be able to undertake the Addenbrookes assessment as well. This leave only the scan to attend. The appointment with our expert psychiatrist will be virtual.

This is not available to book online however we can readily provide a quote for a home visit for you to consider. We are happy to travel.

Bookings

What is the cost?

Dementia Assessment/ Formal Diagnosis

Series of assessments with our memory clinic team including physical examination, ECG and blood tests.
Includes CT or MRI scan at a private hospital near you, dependant upon age and presentation. Consultation and further diagnostic tests
Formal diagnosis
Private prescription for 6 weeks of anti-dementia medication to start (where applicable)

£2,999.00

6-Week Review

There is an option to return for a 6-week review with the consultant where a further prescription
can be issued for 6 weeks’ worth of medication.

£299.00

12-Week Review

There is an option to return for a 12-week review with the consultant where a further
prescription can be issued for 12 weeks’ worth of medication.

£299.00

6-Month Review

There is an option to return for a 6-month review, where a further Addenbrooks assessment and
review with the consultant will be carried out and a further prescription can be issued for 6
months’ worth of medication.

£479.00

Annual review

Following an initial appointment, there is an option to return for an annual review, where a
further Addenbrooks assessment and review with the consultant will be carried out and a further
prescription can be issued for one years’ worth of medication.

£479.00

Make an Enquiry

To enquire about our Private Memory Clinic, please call us on 0333 9000 010 or simply fill in the form below and we’ll be in touch soon.

Contact Form (Memory Clinic)

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Please enter the date of birth of the person to be assessed.
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Book a Memory Assessment online below:

Alternatively, please call 0333 9000 010 and our team can get you booked in.

Meet
the team

Summerfield Healthcare private medical centres are conveniently located & always administer an outstanding standard of patient care. Read more

Dr Arpita Chakraborty

Consultant Psychiatrist | Cardiff

Dr Arpita Chakraborty is a Consultant Psychiatrist that has particular interest and expertise in the and diagnosis of psychiatric disorders including Alzheimer’s dementia, vascular dementia, Frontotemporal dementia, Lewy Body dementia and Parkinson’s disease dementia.

Find out more