For people with emerging cognitive difficulties, Adult Mental Health may assess adults aged up to and including 64 and make an onward referral, if appropriate, to dementia services. Please ensure screening blood tests have been completed prior to, or at referral: FBC, U&E, LFT, TFT, B12, Folate, Glucose, Calcium.
Capacity can be assessed by any registered medical practitioner. Mental health services will consider referrals for capacity assessments if this is clearly related to mental illness and there is a specific question to be answered.
Learning Disability is not assessed by Adult Mental Health – instead please refer to the Community Learning Disability Team.
Please note that if there is evidence of rapid onset, or unusual features AND headache, then consider imaging. Where there is a need to exclude tumour (or another intracranial mass) or hydrocephalus it may be reasonable to request CT Head at the same time as referring to secondary care: https://apps.nhslothian.scot/refhelp/Neurology/Neuroradiology
This page has been updated without specialty input by C.M, Referrals Advisor 15-02-24
