Neuropsychology

A number of things can affect brain function. You may have had a head injury, a stroke, a viral infection, a tumour, epilepsy, or some other illness or condition affecting cognition. Everyday stress can also affect the way your brain processes information and it may be that there is nothing seriously wrong.

How we help

We provide neuropsychological assessment, consultation and limited interventions to people with acquired brain injury or other neurological symptoms and illness. We can help you and our professionals caring for you to understand more about your symptoms and how they may be affecting you.

Common reasons for referral include problems with memory, concentration and problem solving, and changes in personality and behaviour.

Getting ready for your appointment

Try to relax before your appointment. Often people find the testing interesting and the information gathered will help towards your care.

You should avoid any activities that are likely to leave you especially tired on the day of the assessment.

There is no need to stop taking any prescribed medications but you should avoid alcohol and/or recreational drugs in the 24-hours preceding your appointment.

Bring to the assessment:

reading glasses, if you use them.
a hearing aid, if you use one.
a relative or close friend, if you like.

If you can no longer attend

Call the patient booking hub on 0300 303 8360 to reschedule.

This also allows us to give the unfilled appointment to someone else.

What happens at your appointment

The assessment

Your neuropsychological assessments normally takes two or more hours in an outpatient setting. We do offer shorter (screening) assessments which may be appropriate for inpatients or individuals who get tired easily. The data is typically used for diagnostic purposes but also used in treatment planning, monitoring of clinical conditions and outcome measurement.

We will look at a number of different brain functions including:

concentration
memory
problem-solving
planning
multi-tasking
language

Some of the tasks are pen and paper exercises and others involve solving puzzles.

We will decide which tasks to give you based on your history, medical notes and discussion with others involved in your care. You may feel that some of the tasks are not very relevant to your current difficulties, but each is specially designed to help us build a complete picture of your strengths and weaknesses.

Neuropsychological assessments are considered non-invasive and do not require any physical examination, injections or drugs. Some people may experience tiredness or fatigue afterwards.

The results

A report will be sent to your GP and to the professional who referred you. You can also request a copy.

The results will help your healthcare provider to:

better understand your symptoms
plan your treatment or rehabilitation
track any changes in your symptoms

We may also be able to provide you with some tips and strategies to help you manage your symptoms better.

Confidentiality

We are bound by a code of confidentiality. No information regarding you or your assessment will be discussed outside of the context of your clinical care. Records will not be released outside the NHS without your permission. Your records will be stored securely. The same confidentiality rules apply to interpreters.