We provide diagnosis and support to people experiencing changes in their thinking, behaviour or memory.
Key points
- We accept GP and specialist referrals
- Patients must meet referral criteria
- Patients outside the RMH catchment area may be considered on a case-by-case basis
Patients need a referral from their GP or healthcare provider. Access referral information
What we do
- Expert clinical diagnosis
- Information on appropriate treatment options
- Education, support and information for patients, as well as carers, family and support people
- Direction in planning for the future
- Information on dealing with day-to-day issues
- Links for the patient or their family to other service providers or community supports
Who we treat
People presenting with undiagnosed early changes in their memory or thinking who meet all referral criteria.
Referral criteria
- Aged at or above 60 years or at or above 50 years for First Nations people
- Lives within the local council areas of Merri bek, Melbourne, Moonee Valley
- Consenting and able to participate in assessments from a multidisciplinary team
- Meets cognitive/behavioural readiness:
- No current delirium (within the last 3 months) or acute confusional state
- Can follow instructions and stay engaged for 60 to 90 minutes
- Behavioural symptoms are stable and not disruptive
- Meets requirements for recent health stability:
- No Emergency Department visit or unplanned hospital admission in the last 30 days for an active or unresolved problem (where an active or unresolved problem is any condition that requires ongoing investigation and management with frequent health appointments, or that is causing symptoms that impact physical and/or cognitive function)
- If discharged from hospital in the last 30 days, the acute issue has clearly settled and recovery is steady
- Medication stability (minimum 14 days)
- No active substance abuse, intoxication or withdrawal
- Meets requirements for psychiatric stability:
- Confirmation of stability of psychiatric symptoms by treating psychiatrist or General Practitioner (if no psychiatrist)
- Symptoms (for example, anxiety, mood, psychosis) are at a steady baseline for at least 3 months
- No new starts or major dose changes of psychoactive or anticholinergic medicines in the last 14 days (for example, benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, sedating antidepressants, opioids)
May be considered for this service
- People living outside of the local council areas of Merri-Bek, Melbourne, Moonee Valley may be considered where they have significant involvement with other specialties within the RMH
- A medical referral is required for CDAMS. Internal referrals from nursing and allied health within RMH ED may be accepted if it is discussed with the ED geriatricians and clearly documented in the referral.
- People who are discharged from hospital to residential respite will be deferred until resettled at home.
- Individuals with long‑standing conditions or pre‑existing diagnoses are generally not eligible unless there is clear evidence of recent or new decline/deterioration in cognitive function. This applies where cognitive, memory, or behavioural issues have been stable over time and not associated with any new change in presentation. Examples include (but are not limited to): ABI, intellectual disabilities, MS. Relevant recent specialist assessments (e.g., from a neurologist, psychiatrist, or geriatrician) should support any identified new or worsening decline.
- People with a diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment or Vascular Cognitive Impairment who have demonstrated a progressive decline in cognition and functional ability will be reviewed individually to determine the need for reassessment.
- People seeking for a second opinion may be assessed following an individual review of their circumstances.
- People who are unable to attend clinic‑based appointments, and for whom a support person is unavailable for informant interview or to assist with implementation of recommendations, may be accepted with reasonable service adjustments where feasible. Where these limitations cannot be adequately addressed, the episode of care may conclude prior to completion.
Not suitable for this service
- People who do not consent to CDAMS referral and assessment
- People requiring urgent or crisis-level assessment due to imminent risk or safety concerns at home
- People with an established diagnosis of dementia
- People who are unable to participate and engage in an interdisciplinary assessment, including tolerating a 90-minute appointment
- People who are under 60 years old, or under 50 years old for First Nations
- People with known moderate or advanced cognitive changes
- People residing in a residential aged care facility
- People currently experiencing an acute mental health condition (e.g., psychosis, major depression)
- People with current significant alcohol and drug dependence
- People referred solely for neuropsychology or capacity assessment
- People referred solely for assistance with NDIS application
Our clinics
| Clinic name | Location | Options |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive Dementia & Memory Clinic | The RMH Royal Park | Telehealth |
| Cognitive Dementia and Memory - Neurology Clinic | The RMH Royal Park | Medicare |
Our clinics
Cognitive Dementia & Memory Clinic
The RMH Royal Park
Telehealth
Cognitive Dementia and Memory - Neurology Clinic
The RMH Royal Park
Medicare
For patients
For health professionals
Referrals
How to refer
We accept GP and specialist referrals:
- Use the RMH Community Services referral form, the RMH referral form or a template from your own system
- Include all required information in the referral checklist below
- Complete and fax your referral to Direct Access Unit on (03) 8387 2217
DAU welcomes phone enquiries. Contact us on (03) 8387 2333 to discuss potential or existing referrals.
We do not accept email referrals.
Referral checklist
Required:
- All minimum referral information
- History of progressive cognitive and behavioural changes and associated investigations
- Past medical and relevant specialist reports (neurologist/psychiatrist/geriatrician)
- Comprehensive health summary
- Current medication summary (including non-prescription medicines, herbs and supplements)
- CT Brain (report and images if available) completed within last 12 to 18 months
- ECG completed within last 12 moths
- Blood test results completed within last 6 months:
- Full Blood Examination
- Urea and Electrolytes
- Liver Function Test
- Thyroid Function Test
- Glucose (random)
- Calcium
- B12 and Folate
- Contact details for preferred support person, (name, relationship to patient, phone number and usual address). Support person must be able to report on cognitive and functional status, attend appointments and facilitate care plan recommendations.
Include if available:
- MRI Brain or PET scan result
HealthPathways Melbourne provides guidance on best practice assessment and management of common medical conditions, including when and where to refer patients.
Parkville Connect is a secure web-based portal providing GPs, specialists and other health professionals with information in the Parkville electronic medical record (EMR).
Urgent or after-hours support
Referrals are triaged based on priority. In an emergency, patients can go to the Emergency and Trauma Service at any time.
For advice, urgent referrals and out of hours support, call The RMH Switchboard on (03) 9342 7000 to page our registrar on call.
Links & documents
Appointments
For all new appointments, contact the Direct Access Unit on (03) 8387 2333
To cancel or reschedule a booked appointment, contact the Clinical Centre on (03) 8387 2194
What to bring
Every time you come
Every time you come in for a test, day procedure, surgery or treatment, you should bring:
- Medicare card
- Health Care card (if you have one)
- Concession card (if you have one)
- Adverse drug alert card (if you have one)
- Medications you are currently taking, including any that you have bought without a prescription
- X-ray films, scans, ultrasounds or any other test results you have which are related to your procedure
- Private health insurance card (if you want to use it)
- Aids (glasses, hearing aid, walking frame)
For a clinic appointment
If you come for a clinic appointment, you should also bring:
- Your appointment letter
- Any special items listed on your letter
- Your appointment book (if relevant)
- TAC or WorkCover claim number
Interpreters and cultural support
We provide qualified, professional interpreters to help you communicate with us at any time during your stay and at your clinic appointments.
- Μάθετε περισότερα γιά διερμηνείς & υποστήριξη κουλτούρας
- Scopri di più sugli interpreti e sul supporto culturale
- Tercümanlar ve kültürel destek hakkında daha fazla bilgi edinmek için
- Tìm hiểu thêm về thông dịch viên và hỗ trợ văn hóa
- 找出更多翻译与文化支持的信息
- لمزيدٍ من المعلومات عن خدمة الترجمة الشفهية والخدمات الثقافية
Last updated 22 June 2026
Head of service
Prof Dina Logiudice
Contact us
Cognitive Dementia & Memory Service
Address
The RMH Royal ParkGround Level Robert Campbell Wing (Building 17)
34-54 Poplar Rd, Parkville, Victoria
Related pages
Last updated 22 June 2026