2. Memory assessment

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	Dementia Commissioning Pack	Accelerating Dementia Diagnosis 2012 action plan This plan sets out actions to accelerate dementia diagnosis across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Read more »
Set trajectories for improvement in diagnosis rates. Estimate the number of specialist memory assessments which will convert to diagnosis of dementia	Dementia Prevalence Calculator	Accelerating Dementia Diagnosis 2012 action plan This plan sets out actions to accelerate dementia diagnosis across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Read more »
Establish cost benefits and options for service delivery	Cost of Dementia in the Pre-Enlargement Countries of the European Union	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 »
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)	Dementia quality standard Guidance and standards for diagnosing dementia Service specification for dementia: memory service for early diagnosis and intervention	Accelerating Dementia Diagnosis 2012 action plan This plan sets out actions to accelerate dementia diagnosis across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Read more » Bristol nurse-led dementia management model Dementia-specialist nurses from the secondary care memory assessment service in Bristol are now based in primary care, supporting GPs as they regain skills in managing dementia. Read more » Gnosall model for dementia Gnosall memory assessment service offers memory assessment in primary care, with expert support from a specialist memory service. Read more » Lostwithiel nurse led memory assessment service Lostwithiel General Practice in Cornwall has introduced a nurse led memory assessment service to support detection, diagnosis, and post-diagnosis care and support. Read more »
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.	Payment by Results for mental health	North Somerset dementia pathway The North Somerset dementia pathway illustrates care packages for people living with dementia in line with Payment by Results care clusters. Read more »
Introduce a set of standard Read codes to specialist memory services and ensure these are utilised in discharge.

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