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Memory Assessment Services - Herefordshire
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Our Memory Assessment Service provides specialist assessment, diagnosis and treatment services. “Working together with patients, families, colleagues and the wider community for outstanding care which provides specialist mental health support to enable older people to live well and thrive.”
- Service Manager Lead: Cassie Gatfield
- Address: Belmont, Benet Building, Ruckhall Lane, Belmont, Hereford, HR2 9RP
- Reception hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
- Reception phone number: 01432 220445
About the service
The service focuses on providing assessment, treatments and support for people living in Herefordshire who maybe experiencing difficulties with their memory. The memory service comprises of psychiatrists, nurses, occupational therapy, psychology and speech and language therapy.
What to Expect
What does the service do?
We provide assessment of your needs, usually in a clinic-based setting, but also at home depending on individual circumstances.
Your first appointment
You will be seen and assessed together with your family, friend, or carer. This usually takes about 1 ½ hours. Your medical history, life events and present problems will be discussed. We will ask you how you are managing with your day-to-day activities, including driving. We will carry out a short memory test with you.
What to bring to your appointment?
- Any spectacles; especially for reading.
- Your hearing aid.
- Details of any medications you are currently prescribed.
- A relative, friend or carer for support and information.
Next steps
There is no single test we can use to determine what might be causing a problem with somebody’s memory, so we may ask you to go for further investigations. After any other investigations have been completed, we will meet with you again to explain what might be causing your difficulties, and offer treatment and support if appropriate.
Benefits to having a memory assessment:
- Exclude any treatable conditions which can cause memory loss, such as mood difficulties or physical health problems.
- Exclude other causes of confusion, such as visual or hearing problems, the side effects of medication, or the impact of recent life events.
- Access to ongoing advice, information, and support from specialist services.
- Enable people to have an explanation for their memory difficulties and to plan for the future.
- Access to therapeutic groups called Cognitive Stimulation Therapy.
- There may be specific medication that can help in slowing the progression of certain types of dementia.
- Access to therapeutic groups called Cognitive Stimulation Therapy.
- There may be specific medication that can help in slowing the progression of certain types of dementia.
Contact details
Service Lead – Cassie Gatfield
Team Manager – Vicki Newman
Benet Building
Ruckhall Lane
Belmont
Hereford, HR2 9RP
Telephone: 01432 220445
Operational hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
How to be referred
Our service is accessed by your GP making a referral. Your GP will do blood tests and arrange for you to have a CT scan of your brain as there are many medical conditions that can affect memory.