We provide diagnosis and support to people experiencing changes in their thinking, behaviour or memory.
Key points
- Expert clinical diagnosis and information about appropriate treatment options
- Help and information about dealing with day to day issues
- Direction in planning for the future
- Provide links to other service providers or community supports for patients and their families or carers
What we do
Our Cognitive Dementia and Memory Service (CDAMS) assists in diagnosing and providing support to people experiencing changes in their thinking, behaviour or memory. This may include confusion, slowness in thinking, or difficulty concentrating.
We also support the carers and family of people with thinking or memory difficulties.
CDAMS provides:
- Expert clinical diagnosis
- Information on appropriate treatment options
- Education, support and information
- 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 can use our service
We provide services for:
- Anyone over 60 years of age who is experiencing changes in their memory or thinking, who meet the clinic's referral criteria, or over 50 years for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
- People who live in the local council areas of Melbourne, Moonee Valley and Moreland.
People who already have a diagnosis of dementia or have had memory change for many years are unlikely to benefit from a CDAMS review.
In these instances, people should consider referral to the Aged Care Assessment Service (ACAS) or Geriatric evaluation & management (GEM).
Visit the Department of Health: Dementia services for information on CDAMS programs in other parts of Victoria.
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
Referrals
Direct Access Unit
We accept GP and specialist referrals:
- Use the RMH Community Services referral form, the RMH referral form or a template from your own system
- 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.
Referrals should include:
- Relevant clinical history
- Reason for referral
- Patient details including address, date of birth and contact phone numbers
- Your details and provider number
- Name of the consultant (for Medicare clinics)
- Investigation reports related to the referral
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.
Referrals are to include information about the patient's memory or thinking change, current medications and relevant medical, psychiatric and social information.
Referrers will need to arrange several tests before a patient's CDAMS appointment such as FBE, E&Us, LFTs, Calcium, Thyroid function, B12, Folate, CT Brain and ECG.
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).
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 & 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
Ground Level Robert Campbell Wing (Building 17)
34-54 Poplar Rd, Parkville, Victoria