The Memory Assessment Service provides a high quality assessment and diagnostic service in Wolverhampton and Sandwell. Our service is for any person over the age of 45 living in Sandwell or over 65 living in Wolverhampton who is concerned about their memory. The main purpose of the memory clinic is to assess people’s memory and general functioning.
The assessment process will help us identify the cause of your memory problem in order to provide you with guidance and support. Once we receive a referral, a memory nurse will contact you and make an appointment to see you at home.
This first appointment will last approximately one hour. You will be asked to complete a memory test and answer some questions. Following this, a diagnosis may be established via a multi-disciplinary discussion or you may require an appointment with a psychiatrist which can be in a clinic or at home and last up to 60 minutes. It is useful to attend with a family member or a close friend. You may be given the reason for your memory problems at this appointment or the doctor may arrange for you to have further investigations such as a brain scan.
A further appointment is then made to discuss the results of the scan findings and to discuss treatment options. This may include support from occupational therapists and community psychiatric nurses working in the Community Teams for Older Adults.
If your dementia is Alzheimer’s Disease, drug treatments will be discussed with you. If your consultant feels it appropriate you will be offered a trial of one of the anti dementia medications. We work closely with other organisations such as Social Services or The Alzheimer’s Society, which can support people with dementia and their carers. We will access the people and services you need. You may be invited to a therapeutic group where we will discuss how you can live well with your memory loss and learn techniques to help you cope.
What about carers and families?
Also, part of our role is to support carers. We offer carer support as part of the treatment plan for people with memory problems. When someone’s mental health is stable and the carer is in need of continued support, we help the carer get in touch with the specialist carer support team for older adults.
If you are worried about your memory you can visit your GP who can then refer you to the Memory Assessment Service.
During our working hours, we will respond as quickly as we can to a mental health emergency involving someone using our service.
Outside of working hours people should call their GP which will have an out of hours service. If at all possible it is best to contact us before things become an emergency; we are then more able to respond.
Sandwell Service:
Edward Street Hospital
Edward Street
West Bromwich
B70 8NL
Monday to Friday, 8am-4pm
Tel: 0121 612 8219
Wolverhampton service:
Brooklands Health Centre
Brooklands Parade,
Wolverhampton,
WV1 2 ND
The clinic operates Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, with consultant clinics are on Tuesday and Wednesday. Please note the clinic does not open on bank holidays.
Tel: 01902 442391