What is a Memory Clinic? – Dementia Detection Wolverhampton & Shrewsbury

Our memory clinic specialist

We know that when it comes to memory loss and dementia, you only want the best medical professionals for you and your loved ones. 

We have a uniquely qualified team consisting of Dr Chandrashekar Basavaraj, an experienced old age psychiatrist who specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of dementia conditions. He is supported by fully qualified mental health nurses.

You do not need a referral to make an appointment and visit our clinic.

What happens at a memory clinic?

If you are concerned about yourself or a loved one, please call us to book an appointment, or ask for advice. Our reception staff are experienced and discreet and happy to help you in any way they can.

First Appointment

During the first appointment at the clinic, our registered mental health nurses will complete a number of questionnaires designed to assess memory. Our healthcare professionals will also complete a physical examination, conduct an ECG, and take a blood sample for analysis.

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 conduct a brain scan to assess the cause of any memory problems and be sure of our diagnosis. A brain scan may seem scary, but it 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 consultant, Dr Chandrashekar Basavaraj. He 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.

Follow Up Appointment

Around four months later, we will arrange a follow-up appointment to undertake further memory and general functioning assessments. During this appointment we can assess how the medication has worked and if there have been any side effects that we need to consider or treat.

*A further charge would apply for a follow-up appointment.

Dementia medication

Medication can improve or delay symptoms although it is important to remember that antidementia medication is not a cure for dementia.

Typically, the medication used for patients with early signs of Alzheimer’s dementia, in particular, is a group of medications known as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.

These include Donepezil (Aricept), Rivastigmine and Galantamine.

How will Antidementia Medication Help?

Antidementia medication may help to stabilise the illness or improve the symptoms for a period of time.

Dementia medication can also help improve memory as well as alertness and motivation.

How effective is the antidementia medication?

Studies have shown that 40 to 50% of people who have taken these drugs have shown some improvement or stabilisation of their condition over a period of six months.

How is antidementia medication started?

Following a comprehensive assessment by Dr Chandrashekar Basavaraj and his team, including blood tests, formal assessments of memory skills and scans to rule out any treatable causes for the memory problems we will decide if an antidementia medication is appropriate.

Patients are initially started on a low dose of these medications and they will take at least 4 weeks to show their full effect at the starting dose. A review is then required after the initial prescription at around 4 months.

Further information is available along with the medication prescribed.

Dr Basavaraj is able to prescribe your medication and 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 us?

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 have a memory clinic in Shrewsbury and a memory clinic in Wolverhampton, and we aim to see all patients within seven days of initial enquiry. We are flexible and sensitive to our patients’ needs, always putting your health and well-being first.

Lasting Power of Attorney

What is ‘Lasting Power of Attorney’ (property and affairs or for welfare issues)?

Following the memory clinic assessment, we can complete all necessary Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) documentation and forward to the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), should you or your family decide this is appropriate.

An LPA can be made for health and welfare and/or property and affairs. The registration fee to the OPG is included.

How much does it cost?

Although Summerfield Healthcare is a private practice, our fees are low cost and structured with you in mind. 

If you would prefer to see a GP initially, the fee is £59 for a 15 minute consultation, but no referral is needed for Summerfield Healthcare’s memory clinic.

An initial brain scan and formal diagnosis costs £1,649.

Follow-up appointments at the memory clinic are £450.

Lasting power of attorney can be made from £400.

If we need any further tests, scans, or consultations, there may be additional fees, but we will always make sure you know what these are as soon as we know you need them.