Cognitive Decline & Memory Service Clinic
Health professional information
Clinical service overview
CDAMS provides diagnosis and assessment of the psychological, medical and social difficulties associated with memory changes. It aims to provide information and advice on management and referral to other services as appropriate.
CDAMS does not provide ongoing treatment or case management.
A CDAMS assessment involves medical and allied health consultations. This may include an initial home visit followed by medical and neuropsychological assessment in the clinic.
The team comprises of:
- Geriatricians
- Neurologists
- Psychiatrist
- Neuropsychologists
- Key Worker's: Including Occupational Therapist, Nursing and Social Worker
A family meeting is held at the completion of all assessments to discuss the results and recommendations.
Interpreters can be arranged where English is not the first language of the person to be assessed or their family.
Exclusion criteria
- Recent or rapid cognitive decline (last few days or weeks) - this requires urgent assessment to exclude delirium. Refer to GP, ED or Geriatrician
- Diagnosis known/ not in doubt - already on treatment - Aricept / Reminyl / Exelon, or on Ebixa
- Diagnosis is known but needs community supports or counselling - refer to My Aged Care, Carer Gateways or Alzheimer's Australia
- Diagnosis is known and this is behavioural or psychological disturbance - refer to MAPS, or private psycho-geriatrician
- Neuropsychology only: We are a Multi Disciplinary service and do not provide Neuropsychology only for community referrals
- Longstanding ABI, intellectual impairment or behavioural disturbance associated with stroke or ABI, unless NEW deterioration in cognitive function over recent months (not days or weeks)
Refer your patient
Fax referral to us
Caulfield Access is responsible for intake, information and referral processing for a wide range of community and ambulatory services.
We accept referrals from GPs, specialists, family, carers, case managers and patients.
We also welcome phone enquiries to discuss potential referrals or an existing referral. Referrals are triaged depending on priority.
Patients requiring immediate assessment should be sent to the Emergency & Trauma Centre.
To refer a patient to a community service either:
- complete the Service Coordination Tool Template (SCTT) and submit electronically, or
- complete and fax your SCTT referral form to Caulfield Access Unit
Consider making referrals for chronic conditions indefinite.
Once a referral has been received, a Care Coordinator will phone the patient to discuss their needs and organise appropriate services. The Care Coordinator will provide the patient with their phone number. Patients are encouraged to contact the Care Coordinator if they have any concerns.
(03) 9076 6776
(03) 9076 6773
(03) 9076 6010
Special referral instructions
Those where a diagnosis is already known would generally not be eligible, unless a specialist second opinion is required.
Clinic times
| Day | Campus | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | Caulfield Hospital | 8.30am - 5.00pm |
| Wednesday | Caulfield Hospital | 8.30am - 5.00pm |
Clinic consultants
- Dr Renata Lemke: Geriatric Medicine
- Dr Christopher Moran: Geriatric Medicine
- Dr Michael Tan: General Medicine
- Dr Helene Roberts: Neurology
- Dr Trevor Chong: Neurology
- Dr Christine Kotsios: Aged Psychiatry
MBS-billed service
On the doctor’s behalf, Alfred Health can bulk bill the cost of the consultation for some services through Medicare. This means there is no out of pocket expense to the patient.
MBS-billed services require a current referral. Provide your patient with a 12 month referral to see the specialist of your choice at the requested clinic.
Referrals must be addressed to a named specialist or the Head of service, listed at the top of this page. Clinic consultants are listed on every clinic page.
Note that from time to time, your patient may be seen by another specialist in the clinic, in order to expedite their treatment.