Flagship memory assessment programme in Salford, increasing rate of dementia diagnosis, is praised in national report
The Salford Memory Assessment and Treatment Service (MATS), part of GMMH, has been featured as an example of best practice in the Alzheimer’s Society Regional Variation Report 2021. The service runs an innovative assessment programme for people with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), which has been found to significantly increase the rate of dementia diagnosis, leading in many cases to earlier support and treatment.
Mild Cognitive Impairment is a condition in which someone has mild problems with memory or thinking. These problems are more severe than expected for a healthy person of their age, but aren’t severe enough to be classed as dementia. They don’t tend to interfere too much with day-to-day life.
Research suggests that MCI will progress to dementia in around 16% to 20% of cases.
In general, MATS services across the country don’t tend to provide further support and assessment to people diagnosed with MCI. Instead, individuals with MCI tend to be discharged, and advised to speak with their GP if they notice their symptoms worsening. This can lead to missed opportunities to diagnose and treat dementia.
Diagnosing dementia as early as possible is vital, as it means that timely support and treatment can be offered, which can have a huge impact on symptoms, progression of the condition, and overall quality of life.
Since 2014, Salford MATS has run an innovative programme for people diagnosed with MCI. Rather than discharging an individual from the service following their diagnosis, the service provides further support for at least two years, to help improve their general health and wellbeing, and to assess for indicators of progression to dementia.
Woodlands Hospital, Salford Memory Assessment and Treatment Services's base
The service provides the individual with a thorough MCI diagnosis information pack, a full medication review, and recommends any further support or treatment needed. The service also promotes healthy living more widely, and even offers ‘social prescribing’, working with local community-based groups such as Age UK, The Gaddum Centre and Reach Beyond to facilitate participation in activities such as book clubs, cafes and walking groups to enhance the individual’s overall quality of life.
The service also undertakes regular memory reviews with the individual, involving a combination of verbal and cognitive tests. Those who are suspected of developing dementia go on to receive more detailed memory assessments.
An analysis of the impact of Salford MAT’s MCI assessment and support programme from 2016 to 2020 found that 28% of all individuals who had been diagnosed with MCI went on to be diagnosed with dementia. This marks a huge increase from the national dementia diagnosis rate of 16% - 20% in people with MIC.
Those who are diagnosed with dementia are then referred for timely support and treatment.
Salford Memory Assessment and Treatment Team
One service user said:
“The clinicians at the service were excellent. They were very professional, informative, polite and above all caring and considerate of my needs; during my visit and time at the assessment centre, and for my possible future needs.”
In September 2021, The Alzheimer’s Society published their Regional Variation Report. It featured the Salford MATS programme as an example of best practice in increasing access to dementia diagnosis.
Dr Mehran Javeed, Consultant Old Age Psychiatrist at Salford Memory Assessment and Treatment Service, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust said:
“We are delighted to have been named by the Alzheimer’s Society as an example of best practice for increasing access to dementia diagnosis.
“Our programme of support and assessment for people diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) provides opportunities for earlier diagnosis and treatment for dementia, alongside wider health and wellbeing support for those with MCI.
“The earlier someone is diagnosed with dementia, the sooner they can receive vital drug treatments and other support to manage their condition and even slow down the rate of progression. It means that people are given the potential to live fuller, healthier lives for longer.”
Dr Mehran Javeed
