Memory clinic survey in New Zealand: a second look

Australas Psychiatry. 2019 Oct;27(5):486-490. doi: 10.1177/1039856219852299. Epub 2019 Jun 6.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the changes in publicly funded memory clinics in New Zealand's since the last survey in 2008.

Method: We conducted an online survey of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) and gathered information on the recently discontinued or established memory clinics.

Results: We found dedicated memory clinics in the seven DHBs that have the largest older persons populations in New Zealand. Those DHBs that had discontinued their memory clinics did so because they opted for a more integrated approach using their primary care based dementia care pathway. Increased waiting times, low staffing ratios, variance in cognitive screening tests and patient demographics were reported.

Conclusions: There is significant variability in the structure of memory clinics in New Zealand. These clinics could benefit from collaboration and bench-marking of their services.

Keywords: dementia; early diagnosis; memory clinic; older people’s mental health.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Dementia / diagnosis*
  • Dementia / therapy
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Health Care Surveys / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Memory Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Memory Disorders / therapy
  • Mental Health Services / organization & administration
  • Mental Health Services / statistics & numerical data*
  • New Zealand
  • Primary Health Care / organization & administration
  • Primary Health Care / statistics & numerical data*