Home › Service directory › Memory service (Barnsley)
Memory service (Barnsley)
Page last updated on:
About the service
Please note: Our service is not linked to the Summer Lane car park COVID-19 testing site. The postcode for the Summer Lane COVID-19 testing site is S73 0DD. You need to book an appointment to get a PCR coronavirus test on GOV.UK before visiting a testing site.
Barnsley memory service provides a single point of access, for the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of people with memory problems in line with the NHS national dementia strategy.
The service is based at Wombwell Clinic and operates from Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm (temporary hours due to coronavirus).
Staff in the memory service work closely with GPs, colleagues from Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and other health professionals to carry out a detailed assessment to establish the underlying causes of memory problems.
In cases where an individual receives a diagnosis of dementia, treatment and interventions are offered to enable each individual and their carer to manage their condition as effectively as possible; maintaining their optimum level of functioning for as long as possible.
Choice and independence are fully supported throughout the process.
Why would someone choose the service?
- People can be confident that all staff in Barnsley memory services are appropriately qualified, highly skilled and experienced in dementia care and treatment
- Each member of the service takes pride in treating people with dignity and respect, offering a rounded approach to service delivery
- Staff in the team work hard to involve people with dementia and the carers and all decisions about care and treatment, offering full explanations and giving opportunity for people to voice their concerns
- 99% of people seen by our service stated that they would be likely or extremely likely to recommend our service to their family and friends needing a similar care or treatment
- 100% of the people seen by our service felt that their privacy and dignity was maintained
- Barnsley memory service has been re-accredited by the Royal College of Psychiatrists- Memory Services National Accreditation Programme for the delivery of assessment and diagnosis of dementia and the delivery of psychosocial interventions for people with dementia
- The service has also recently been shortlisted in the Dementia Care category of the Patient Safety and Care Awards which celebrate staff who have created or contributed to excellent healthcare initiatives that have made care safer and better quality for patients and service users
Staff you may meet
- Administrative staff provide essential support to doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals. This can be in a variety of different settings, with administrators working as a receptionist in a clinic or a clerk on a ward. They may also be working closely with a consultant as a medical secretary.
- There are many people who work behind the scenes to keep services running and you may meet them in hospital or community settings. They include porters, cleaners, plumbers, electricians, decorators receptionists and secretaries who all work to make sure healthcare settings are kept clean, tidy and safe.
- Nurses who choose to specialise in the mental health branch of nursing work with GPs, psychiatrists, psychologists, and others, to help care for patients. Increasingly, care is given in the community, with mental health nurses visiting patients and their families at home, in residential centres, in prisons or in specialist clinics or units.
- Occupational therapy is the assessment and treatment of physical and psychiatric conditions using specific, purposeful activity to prevent disability and promote independent function in all aspects of daily life.
- The NHS employs a wide range of clinical staff, it wouldn’t be possible to list them all on this website! All our clinical staff are skilled, dedicated professionals who adhere to high standards of training and work-place practice.
- Adult psychotherapists work with people to assess and treat a range of emotional, social or mental health issues. They help people tackle problems such as behavioural issues, common challenges such as anxiety and depression or more complex or severe issues, such as psychosis or a personality disorder diagnosis.
Why a professional should choose the service
- Barnsley memory service is a highly motivated team made up of members from different healthcare professions with specialised skills and expertise which delivers a quality service to the people of Barnsley.
- The team is highly skilled and experienced in the delivery of assessment, diagnosis, treatment and support of people living with dementia.
- The service has been recognised by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Memory Service National Accreditation Programme, (MSNAP) and by Barnsley Memory Service receiving successful re-accreditation in both the assessment and diagnosis of persons with dementia and within psychosocial interventions.
- The innovative approach of the service, which involves new ways of working, evidence-based best practice, and increased patient satisfaction, has been further recognised and was shortlisted for a national award with the Patient Safety And Care Awards in dementia care.
- Barnsley memory services embrace the challenge to increase the rate of diagnosis in line with national guidance whilst addressing current variation within GP practice.
- The service has recently worked collaboratively with Barnsley CCG to increase the diagnosis rates of dementia in Barnsley. This was successfully completed and within the timeframe given, reflecting the teams commitment to achieving goals and reaching targets in an efficient and timely manner.
- Barnsley memory service works closely with the local Dementia Action Alliance and Multi-agency Dementia Group to enable people with cognitive impairment to live well in the Barnsley area. The service has an ethos of ongoing development to meet the changing needs of our client group and service specification. We aim to work closely with GPs to identify and diagnose people early and to offer a named contact to each individual that will stay with them throughout their journey.
Support offered
- Full memory assessment leading to diagnosis and possible treatment.
- Post-diagnostic support and signposting, this includes giving information about Alzheimer’s society and Barnsley Independent Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support
Barnsley Independent Alzheimer’s & Dementia Support (BIADS) provides meaningful activities for people with dementia and social events and drop in cafes for all at their friendly dementia support centre. A dedicated carer support team provides a listening ear and a constant point of contact with twice weekly support groups for carers to get together, and regular phone calls and visits when required. BIADS also organises day trips and holidays for members and has a dementia day care centre in Barnsley town centre.
- Dementia advisors
- Cognitive stimulation therapy with a carer group running alongside
- Psychology assessment
- Occupational therapy assessment
- Carer support
- Memory diary/portrait of a life
- Advice with regards to independent living at home services
- Advice with regards to social needs assessment
- Follow-up review when stable on medication to review the efficiency
- Support and education into care homes
- Advice and support into Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Outcomes
Barnsley memory service is committed to providing a high quality and robust assessment and diagnostic service for those thought to be experiencing memory problems that may be associated with a dementia condition. The service focusses on:
- Early and timely diagnosis closer to home as well as enabling the ‘person with dementia’ to live well in the community for as long as possible.
- Addressing the variation between GP practices in the identification of patients suspected of having a memory problem.
- Support for carers of people with a dementia.
Referrals accepted from:
CMHTs, Consultants, GPs, Hospital staff
Referral criteria:
- A person must be registered with a Barnsley GP, be over the age of 18, and experience memory problems; suspected to be a dementia illness.
Frequently asked questions
What happens after I have been referred to the memory service?
The memory service will contact you to arrange for a memory nurse to visit you at home. The visit usually takes around 90 minutes and will involve a general discussion with some questionnaires which the nurse will complete with you. The nurse will then discuss the results of the assessment visit with one of our consultant psychiatrists and a clinic appointment will be offered to you for diagnosis. If you would prefer to receive the diagnosis from the memory nurse, then they will visit you at home.
You will also be given an information file which belongs to you and will contain all the information you require to meet your needs. Information will be added to this file as your needs change.
What can I expect at my appointment?
Your memory nurse will arrange to come and visit you and your family and/or carer following your appointment with the consultant. They will discuss your needs and how best they can be met. It may be that you are signposted to other services such as voluntary organisations or social services or it may be that you require specialist support from within the memory services.
A care plan will be drawn up for you which will identify what care you can expect. This care plan will change as your needs change.
What can I expect after my diagnosis?
You will be contacted by the memory service to check your dementia needs. Your treatment and care plan will be amended as necessary.
Where can I find more information?
Visit the Alzheimer’s society website for more details: http://www.alzheimers.org.uk