title: Audit of memory clinic practice against CCG guidelines: West Suffolk Hospital.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The memory service based in the West Suffolk has received increased funding to deliver a high quality service against standards set by the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This audit aims to examine if we are achieving the standards set by the local CCG and to identify areas to improve the quality of the service.We also aimed to assess information as to how many patients referred had dementia. If they had a dementia suitable for possible anti-dementia medication (such as dementia of Alzheimer's type, Alzheimer's mixed type or atypical or Lewy body/ Parkinson's dementia) to ascertain if they were being offered anti-dementia medication.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis of 60 patients from the memory service were analysed. The first 10 patients referred in alternative months were selected for inclusion. Standards were based on targets set by the CCG in terms of time needed to assess, diagnose, communicate diagnosis to the GP and give post diagnostic advice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients in this memory service were being seen 37 days (on average) after referral. Most patients received a diagnosis at their initial assessment but some needed further investigation to establish the diagnosis or the specific type of diagnosis. The time for letters to be typed did not meet standards and letters were sent out on average 23 days after patients were being seen. Post diagnostic advice was delivered to most who received a diagnosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our service is offering timely diagnosis to those referred to the memory service in line with national guidelines.
authors.affiliation: Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, Norwich, UK, afef.mahmoud@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Afef
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mahmoud
authors.forename: Balakrishna Menon
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Vandana
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chipperfield
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ferrera
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rubinsztein
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000592:standards*; D054869:Clinical Audit; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000592:standards; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D018697:Nootropic Agents