About Us
The Southern Health and Social Care Trust Memory Service aim to investigate and diagnose memory related problems as quickly as possible to identify any treatment, advice and support you may require.
Referral from your GP
If you have noticed a change in your memory, or the memory of a loved one please speak with your GP. Your GP may refer you to the Memory Service Clinic. The Memory Service will process your referral and determine if you require an appointment at Memory Clinic. Your GP will be advised of the outcome of the triage process.
What to expect
The Team will have been given some information in relation to the current problem, any medical history and any completed medical tests prior to the referral.
When the referral is made
A member of the team may contact you to offer you an appointment that suits you best, you can bring someone to this appointment with you if you wish.
Additional Information
You can contact the clinic before your appointment date for any further information you may need.
Where we are?
Memory Clinics are located throughout the Southern Trust Area, the Memory Service will aim to offer you an appointment closest to your home:
- Edenderry House Portadown
- St Luke’s Hospital Site Armagh
- Cloughreagh House Bessbrook
Who Works in the Memory Clinic?
The Team is made up of the following people:
- Consultant Psychiatrists
- Nurses Advanced
- Nurse Practitioners
- Non-medical prescribers
- Occupational Therapists
- Social Workers
- Administration Staff
What will happen at my assessment?
The assessment process will involve a conversation about how you have been managing daily tasks, any history about any difficulties with your memory, an assessment of your mood and a memory test. You will be able to take a family member or carer with you, we may ask you to complete some questionnaires about symptoms. Staff will discuss the assessment with you when complete and let you know what happens next. The staff will also discuss the assessment with the team and you may be invited to have a brain scan.
Community Teams
The Community Teams, support clients with a confirmed diagnosis of Dementia requiring specialist support from the MDT to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Who Works in the Community Team?
The Team is made up of the following people:
- Locality Managers
- Nurses
- Advanced Nurse Practitioners
- Occupational Therapists
- Social Workers
- Psychology
- Social Work Assistants
- Support Workers Admin
What the community team aim to achieve
The community Memory Service will work in partnership with clients who are presenting with risks associated with their dementia, providing specialist support and early interventions to both clients and carers to promote an improve quality of life. Community staff will provide both Pharmacological and Non-pharmacological interventions to support clients to continue living well with their dementia and will focus on achieving the best possible outcomes for clients and carers. The Community Team also have a Case Management function which is a collaborative process, that assesses, plans, implements, coordinates, monitors, and evaluates the options and services required to meet an individual’s health, wellbeing and social needs.
Dementia Navigators
- First point of contact; remains the “go to” person throughout their journey.
- Provide information, support and guidance to the person and their family / carer.
- Connects the person with Dementia, their family and carers to a network of support services across the community, voluntary and independent services.
Here are some useful links where you can find further guidance and support:
- Visit www.dementiani.org or call Dementia NI on 028 9693 1555
- Dementia UK has a free Helpline 0800 888 6678 open 9am-9pm Monday to Friday and 9am-5pm Saturday to Sunday or you can visit www.dementiauk.org
- Alzheimer’s Society in Northern Ireland | Alzheimer’s Society (alzheimers.org.uk)
- Communication with People Living with Dementia
- Visit Herbert Protocol | PSNI for access to the Herbert protocol information and documentation
We are always keen to hear feedback from your experience, we will provide you with a questionnaire after your assessment which we hope you can complete. You can also leave feedback on our care opinion website – follow the link below: www.careopinion.org.uk/tellyourstory
Dementia information Programme
Free programme for carers, family and friends of people living with dementia or anyone who has questions about dementia
In partnership with Newry and Mourne Memory Service
Where: Ballybot House, 28 Corn Market, Newry, BT35 8BG
When: Four consecutive Thursdays beginning 7pm – 9pm
- Week 1: Introduction to Dementia – Non-Medical Prescriber. Information, guidance, signposting and support – Dementia Navigators
- Week 2: Occupational Therapy and Dementia – Occupational Therapist. Behaviours that may challenge – Memory Services Nurse
- Week 3: Herbert Protocol and ICE cards – PSNI. Safeguarding – Safeguarding Team. Alzheimer’s Society Services – Dementia Adviser
- Week 4: Accessing Benefits – Community Advice NM&D. Controllership/Enduring Power of Attorney. Legal matter and Planning for the Future
028 38 398335