Improve access to memory assessment
Questions to consider
- what resources are in place currently?
- what are the ‘unmet needs’?
- could services be designed to be more effective, and more efficient?
DRIVER: True prevalence, incidence, diagnosis rates, forecast
Actions |
Resources |
Examples |
With stake holders,
- model demand and supply for specialist assessments, specialist memory services; and for post-diagnosis support in the community
- identify outcomes and quality standards
|
|
|
Set trajectories for improvement in diagnosis rates. Estimate the number of specialist memory assessments which will convert to diagnosis of dementia |
|
|
Establish cost benefits and options for service delivery |
|
- Closer to home memory assessment: reaching out to rural communities in Buckinghamshire
This project aims to adopt the Gnosall primary care based memory assessment approach to improve dementia diagnosis in harder to reach communities in Buckinghamshire. Read more »
- Collaborative dementia care in Oxfordshire
This project aims to develop a more user-friendly care pathway for people living with dementia in Oxfordshire by providing easier access to assessment for early diagnosis and support within primary care settings. Read more »
- Early intervention and diagnosis, local delivery action plan 2012-13
This plan sets out actions to improve the diagnosis of dementia and provide better services for people living with dementia across Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole. Read more »
- Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber memory service
Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) provide a specialist led memory service that serves approximately 50,000 people of age 65 and over living in Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber. Read more »
- South of Tyne and Wear Memory Protection Service
The South of Tyne and Wear Memory Protection Service provided by the Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist care led service with primary care support serving 84,000 people living in Sunderland, South Tyneside and Gateshead. Read more »
- Worcestershire Early Intervention Dementia Service
Worcestershire Early Intervention Dementia Service (EIDS) have developed a clear referral pathway, which includes pre-assessment counselling, consent, family engagement, assessment by a competent specialist and sensitive disclosure, leading to better access to treatment and support. Read more »
|
Produce memory service specifications to include required increase in rates of diagnosis and standards of delivery. This may include:
- diagnosis pathways within primary care (for example, for people presenting with at a later stage of dementia, i.e. with moderate-severe dementias)
- diagnosis pathways via specialist memory services (for example, for people presenting with possible mild dementias, early onset dementia; complex presentations)
|
|
|
Commission specialist memory services sufficient to meet projected increase in demand. |
Incorporate requirements for memory assessment services into annual contract(s), including activity and quality standards. |
|
|
Introduce a set of standard Read codes to specialist memory services and ensure these are utilised in discharge. |
|
|