For any concerns regarding your mental health please contact Gateshead Specialist Memory Hub in normal office hours. For evenings and weekends contact the out of hours GP service on your usual GP telephone number.
For concerns regarding home support contact Adult Social Care Direct on 0191 433 7033, out of hours
contact the Duty team on 0191 478 7665.
For any other health concerns you feel cannot wait until you see your GP, contact the NHS helpline 111 for advice.
Data Protection
Any personal information is kept confidential. There may be occasions where your information needs to be shared with other care professionals to ensure you receive the best care possible.
In order to assist us to improve the services available, your information may be used for clinical audit, research, teaching and anonymised for National NHS Reviews and Statistics.
Further information is available via Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust website (Privacy – QE Gateshead) or by contacting the Data Protection Officer by telephone on 0191 445 8418 or by email [email protected].
This leaflet can be made available in other languages and formats upon request.
Referrals
We accept referrals from Old Age Consultant Psychiatrists. You may have already been referred to our service in which case you will receive a phone call from our team to arrange an appointment. If you have not been seen by a psychiatrist and you are concerned about your memory please see your GP who will refer to our Older Persons Mental Health
services if required.
Our Aims
We aim to provide individualised care and support to patients diagnosed with a dementia and their carers, improve the overall standard of Dementia care and raise awareness of dementia. We aim to provide treatment and therapies based on the latest research and evidence.
Where are we?
We are situated at Bensham Hospital, and clearly signposted from the hospitals main entrance.
Getting here
Parking is free for Blue Badge holders, you will need to register these details at the front desk. For all others, parking must be paid when exiting at one of the pay points or online. Parking for 1-2 hours is £2.70. There are also regular bus services from Gateshead
Interchange.
We have a dedicated ambulance service to transport you and your carer to and from appointments, this can be discussed when a member of the team contact you to arrange your appointment.
What can we offer?
- Treatment (if appropriate)
- Regular reviews
- Referrals to Occupational Therapy/ Psychology/Speech and Language Therapy
- Post diagnostic support:-
- Information
- Advice
- Carer Support
- Financial/Legal/Benefits advice and signposting
- Cognitive Stimulation Therapy-CST (if appropriate)
Your appointment
We ask that you are accompanied by a relative/carer.
After receiving your referral a member of the team will contact you to arrange a convenient appointment. Your first appointment may take up to 1 hour. Depending on your diagnosis/physical health, your consultant may have requested that we discuss the possibility of commencing medication (Please note some patients are not suitable for medication). This will have been discussed with you when you saw your consultant prior to attending the Gateshead Specialist Memory Hub.
Nursing staff will check your blood pressure, pulse, weight and height. You and your carer will be asked a number of questions. We are happy to answer any questions/concerns you may have. (It may be a good idea to write down any questions before attending your appointment to help you remember).
We will offer support to both you and your carer and will give advice on benefits/services that could help you; including Lasting Power of Attorney and Advanced Decisions.
We will work with you to deliver a meaningful Care Plan.
You will be offered a copy of your Care Plan after your appointment.
You will be given further follow-up appointments to attend the Gateshead Specialist Memory Hub. Followed by a six month review appointment.
Your care will be transferred back to your GP after this appointment if you and your family agree that the situation is stable and you have support mechanisms in place.
If you have any concerns/queries please contact:-
Whilst attending Gateshead Specialist Memory Hub you will be under the care of our lead consultant.
The Gateshead Specialist Memory Hub on 0191 445 6660.