Leeds Beckett dementia experts highlight the success of innovative national approaches to assessment and diagnosis in NHS England report

The report – ‘Review of National Memory Assessment Services (MAS): Identifying good practice examples and opportunities for improvement’ – includes case studies of services adopting innovative local solutions designed to meet the needs of local diverse communities, resulting in higher numbers of diagnoses and subsequent treatment. 

The report explores Memory Assessment Services (MAS) in England and Wales; if/how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected services, challenges that MAS are facing, and examples of innovative service delivery which address some of these challenges. It provides ideas to support ongoing practice development within MAS, with the aim of continual improvements in service delivery, increased dementia diagnoses rates and the provision of high-quality peri- and post-diagnostic support services. 

One case study highlights Aire, Wharfe & Craven Memory, a Bradford-based assessment and treatment service, who provide culturally tailored assessments and diagnoses through the revision of the conventionally used Addenbrookes cognitive assessment tool. 

In this case, the report noted the increase in referrals from the South Asian community, and while diagnoses rates are still behind those for the White British population; there has been a 30% increase over the lifetime of this study. The experience people have when entering the service has also improved, with individuals reporting that the adapted cognitive testing is accessible to them. The service also contracts out post-diagnostic support services which are culturally specific, and is looking to expand this offer.

Professor Sarah Smith, Centre for Dementia Research, said: “This report promotes best practice in Memory Assessment Services across the UK. Based on our findings, we are advising services to identify local needs and review their provision to meet those needs.”

“Our findings identified priority areas that services identified as important for improving the experience of people with suspected dementia who access their memory assessment services, and novel solutions to addressing these areas of need. The importance of providing personalised post diagnostic support is one example.”

The report recommended that in order to achieve continual improvement and innovation in MAS, commissioners need to work with service managers to identify local service needs and be willing to commission innovative approaches that enable MAS services to address these needs. It also suggested that MAS need to routinely revaluate the design and delivery of their services to ensure they meet local needs and gaps in service provision.

Overall, the report found variation exists in the way that MAS are provided, and many changes to how services are delivered (as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic) have been retained and have generated opportunities for services to streamline, refine and improve MAS pathways. It identified good and innovative practice are evident across features of service provision (e.g., post diagnostic support, counselling), service structure (location of services, care pathways, accessibility), service workforce (use of GPs and specialists), and remit (supporting younger people, people with MCI or rarer dementia).

It also identified the importance of adopting novel and innovative approaches that sit outside of ‘typical’ MAS models to address identified local needs, such as physical locations of services or points of contact within the service pathway, including community-based public engagement events to increase diagnostic rates within specific communities.

The report findings come from a national survey of MAS (40 in England and nine in Wales) and case studies of good or innovative practice at 15 sites in England and Wales (13 case studies in England and two in Wales). Greatest representation came from the North East and Yorkshire Regions. Most respondents worked in MAS located in Mental Health and Community Trusts, but some MAS were also based in acute trusts, primary care or other organisations.

The School of Health brings all the university’s health expertise into one area and provides the knowledge, skills, and training to make a difference to individuals and communities, from exploring the diagnosis or treatment of disease, to the provision of a range of therapies for recovery and rehabilitation to community-based social care.

Leeds Beckett University’s Centre for Dementia Research supports the advancement of applied dementia research leading to improvements in the lives of people living with dementia, and those providing care and support to them.

Find more information in the report 'Review of National Memory Assessment Services (MAS): Identifying good practice examples and opportunities for improvement'

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