Older People's Community Services

• About the service
• What to expect from our service
• Referral information
• How to contact our service
• Other advice and support

About the service

The Memory Assessment Service supports people in Leeds who may have dementia or mild cognitive impairment. We offer assessments, diagnosis, treatment and ongoing support after a diagnosis.

The Leeds Memory Assessment Service accepts referrals for Leeds residents and for any patient registered with a Leeds GP. We work closely with memory services in neighbouring areas to make sure people are directed to the right service and that any difficulties are resolved quickly.

The service operates across four locality teams within the Older People’s Community Mental Health Service. Our clinical service runs Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, excluding bank holidays.

Our aims are to make sure people with memory concerns, and their carers, receive:

• A positive and supportive experience during assessment and diagnosis
• High‑quality support after diagnosis
• Easy access to treatment and help to manage dementia alongside any other long‑term health conditions

We believe dementia should be treated like any long‑term condition. Many people live with dementia alongside other health issues, so it’s important they can access specialist help at the right time. This approach means people and carers receive joined‑up care that supports both physical and mental health.

We follow the Leeds Dementia Strategy, which recognises that a diagnosis is only truly helpful when it leads to good, ongoing support. Our service ensures people and carers receive the information, treatment and guidance they need from the moment of diagnosis, helping improve their quality of life and care.

What to expect from our service

What the Memory Assessment Service provides

We offer support for people in Leeds who have memory problems, and for their carers. Our service includes:

• Helping you and your carers understand the assessment process so you can make informed choices
• A timely first appointment, usually within eight weeks of being referred
• A clear and timely diagnosis, normally within 12 weeks of your referral
• High‑quality treatment and short‑term support for people diagnosed with dementia
• Opportunities to take part in research, if you wish
• Ongoing support after a diagnosis of dementia or mild cognitive impairment
• A personalised care plan explaining what help you may need and how we will support you

Before your assessment

We offer support before your assessment so that you:

• Understand what will happen
• Can give informed consent
• Feel prepared for the possibility of receiving a dementia diagnosis

In some situations, we may offer a face‑to‑face pre‑assessment appointment, for example if:

• You request more information or seem very worried and need extra support
• You do not have a carer and will be coming alone
• English is not your first language
• You have a sensory impairment that makes it difficult to read our information or contact us by phone

Your initial assessment

Your first assessment will be face‑to‑face and usually lasts up to 90 minutes, with extra time afterwards for notes.

During this assessment, we will talk with you about:

• Your memory symptoms
• Your physical and mental health history
• Any medications you take (prescribed or not)
• Your mental wellbeing
• A cognitive assessment
• Your personal history and support network
• How well you manage day‑to‑day tasks
• Any risks or safety concerns
• Topics such as driving, housing, benefits and lifestyle (if relevant)

Afterward, our team will review all the information and agree on a diagnosis.

What happens next?

If you are diagnosed with dementia, we will explain this clearly and discuss treatment options. Medication can be started at this appointment if it is clinically appropriate.

We aim for 80% of people to receive their diagnosis within 12 weeks of referral. In most cases, a psychiatrist will share the diagnosis with you.

If you are diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, we will provide suitable support and then refer you back to your GP.

Post‑diagnostic support

Everyone diagnosed with dementia or mild cognitive impairment will be offered two sessions of post‑diagnostic support. These sessions are designed to:

• Help you come to terms with your diagnosis
• Make sure you understand what it means
• Provide information about wider support services, such as memory support workers
• Check for any side effects if you have started medication

Memory Support Workers

Our Memory Support Worker Team, delivered in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society, helps people with memory problems or dementia access the information and support they need.

They can help you to:

• Attend memory cafés and carers groups
• Access help with finances and decision‑making
• Find local support for you and your family or carers

They work closely with GPs, voluntary organisations and our Memory Assessment Service. They also support some of our Community Mental Health Teams.

Referral information

Health and care professionals can refer someone to the Memory Assessment Service. We do not accept self-referrals. We do not provide a service for people who have an existing diagnosis of dementia unless a second opinion is being sought.

To make a referral, please download the Single Point of Access referral form from the referrals to mental health services page.

To help us process referrals smoothly, please provide:

• Confirmation that the person has given consent for the referral
• A clear reason for suspecting dementia
• Information about how the person is managing day‑to‑day, including input from family, carers or friends (with consent)
• Confirmation that a Computed Tomography scan (CT head scan) has been requested, if it is clinically appropriate and the person has consented
• Confirmation that dementia screening bloods have been completed including full blood count, urea and electrolytes, liver function tests, calcium levels, blood glucose or long‑term blood glucose test (HbA1c), thyroid function test, vitamin B12 levels, and folate levels
• (FBC, U+E, LFTs, calcium, glucose/HbA1c, thyroid function test, vitamin B12 and folate)
• Confirmation that a physical examination has been carried out to rule out delirium
• A brief cognitive test score such as the Six‑Item Cognitive Impairment Test, General Practitioner Assessment of Cognition, or equivalent

Referral criteria

Referrals will be considered when all of the following apply:

• The person has had memory problems or other possible dementia symptoms for at least six months, not caused by a recent head injury
• Family, carers or significant others have noticed these changes and expressed concerns
• Primary Care (or another service) has already completed the relevant investigations to rule out other treatable causes (as listed in the dementia screen above)
• A cognitive test such as the the Six‑Item Cognitive Impairment Test, General Practitioner Assessment of Cognition, or equivalent has been completed
• A GP is unable to complete a Dementia Identification and Diagnosis in Primary Care for people with suspected dementia living in 24‑hour care

Please also include information about the person’s physical examination, their current and past medical history, and a list of prescribed medications.

A referral for a CT head scan is essential, provided this is clinically indicated and the person has agreed.

How to contact the service

Teams covering South, Southeast Leeds are based at:

Aire Court Community Unit
Lingwell Grove
Middleton
Leeds
LS10 4BS
Telephone: 0113 8550673

Teams covering East, Northeast Leeds are based at:

St Mary’s House
North Wing
St Martin’s View
Leeds
LS7 3LA
Telephone: 0113 8558877

Teams covering West Leeds are based at:

St Mary’s Hospital
Green Hill Road
Leeds
LS12 3QE
Telephone: 0113 8550547

Teams covering North Leeds are based at:

Millfield House
Kirk Lane
Yeadon
Leeds
LS19 7LX
Telephone: 0113 85 59350

Other advice and support

If a health professional has given you a specific phone number to call when you are concerned about your condition or that of a loved one, please continue to use that number.

We recommend the following places where you can find helpful and reliable information with links to further help and support.

• MindWell website
• The NHS UK website
• For less urgent health needs, you should contact your GP or a local pharmacist in the usual way.
• For immediate, life-threatening emergencies, always call 999.

Please note this is not comprehensive list of services but a few suggestions of how to get started finding help and information.