Dementia Waiting list question

[Ritaskitchen]

My Dad has been referred by his Gp for a scan to investigate if he has dementia. How do I found out the waitlist for this?
Im not familiar with the NHS - although I am leaning.
Parents have competed a form from GP so my sister and I can be given information about their care. But it’s not submitted yet.
GP surgery I can only book appointments online and there is only a suggestion or complaints email address. I dont need an appointment I just want some information

My Dad doesn’t know where he has been referred to. Only that he was asked if he was ok with enclosed spaces for the scan.
Mum is v ill with cancer and has enough on her place.
I have googled but the Dementia ReMemBr webpage has no information on waitlists and no phone number I can find to call or email address
Any suggestions welcome

Are you in the same area as your Dad? If so ask your GP about waiting times. Explain why you want to know and your GP can give a good idea of waiting times without knowing your Dad.

Most hospitals publish general waiting times on their websites, or there is a website called My Planned Care which might help.

Thank you both. I’ve downloaded the NHs app onto my phone and logged in w Dad details. One of the sections is referrals and also wait list.
I grew up in the uk but moved out of the country 15 years ago. So much has changed with the NHS that I feel like I am starting from
scratch and the GP surgery is almost impossible to talk to.

Just to let you know, the results of the scan may not be definitive. Both of my DPs were displaying dementia type symptoms- differently for each of them - but apparently both of their brain scans just showed deterioration in line with normal aging. I read subsequently that if there has been a series of mini strokes this may not show up on a scan. I don’t have much explanation for DF but he definitely has significant memory loss.
Has the memory clinic been mentioned?

For the GP you do need a telephone appointment with their doctor. Can the form be submitted asap ?

When I took my parent to the doctor he referred us to the memory clinic. We got an appointment fairly quickly and took it from there. Is it worth mentioning to the surgery perhaps? I hope you get it sorted soon x

It’s 6 weeks apparently so that’s not too bad

In my area, there is a scan, blood test and then face to face. Whole thing takes a year. Only certain types of dementia benefit from medication and then only marginally so it might not be very useful. Its more useful to get Power of Attorney for finances, health is not so important but you might want to do that as well.

We already have POA sent off signed and official. So glad we did this. So that’s ready to go

Make sure it’s health and finance. Not just finance.

Annoying update today. CT scan people called. They are only scanning children at the moment. Not adults. Clearly not elderly adults. So there is no waiting list time because they can’t say when he will be scanned.

I saw you said 6 weeks but now a delay for CT scan. My mum is in England and the waiting time was 14 - 16 weeks total.

It’s a year where we are

That’s appalling.

Can you contact PALS? Every hospital will have one. Patient Advice and Liaison Service.

Thats my plan. Email being sent tomorrow. I’ve complained to my parents MP as well. She is a minister for health and social care. I have time and perimenopause irritation.

Good!

I had to have a wry smile at perimenopause irritation. I’ve been having a nightmare trying to get a diagnosis for my dm (who has had a CT which has shown she has dementia, but I can’t actually get her diagnosed because where we are, apparently that can only be done at the memory clinic, and getting them to see her is absolutely impossible) and I’ve put my own perimenopausal irritation - rage? - to maximum effect.

The service shutting to adults sounds like the service lead playing hardball to force the senior managers to recruit some staff. I hope it results in some change but I doubt it will be quick.

Has he been referred to the memory clinic itself? Will they see him without the scan? I would call them to find out.