Consultant-led memory and dementia assessment
Private memory clinic in Sheffield
I’m Dr Pravin Jha, a consultant geriatrician. I assess memory as part of a whole-person Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment, looking at medicines, mood, physical health, mobility and daily function alongside memory and thinking. You don’t need a GP referral.
Appointments to suit you
- At home: assessments usually available within 24–48 hours.
- Spire Claremont Hospital: appointments usually available within 3–5 days, after 5pm.
- Circle Thornbury Hospital: Friday clinic, 3.30–5.30pm.
- LivingCare: a new Friday clinic, 10am–2pm, starting soon.
Appointments are subject to availability.
Looking beyond memory alone
Why see a geriatrician about memory?
In older adults, memory problems are often shaped by other things: physical illness, medicines, mood, sleep, hearing or eyesight, frailty and changes in day-to-day function. An assessment that looks only at memory and thinking can miss them.
I assess memory alongside your wider health. That helps find anything that can be treated, clarifies the likely cause, and leads to a safer plan, particularly for people with several health conditions.
As part of every memory assessment I look at
- Causes of memory symptoms that may be reversible
- Medicines, including their combined anticholinergic burden
- Frailty, mobility and risk of falls
- Mood, anxiety and sleep
- Daily function and independence
- Neurological and physical health problems
- What a family member or carer has noticed
When to seek help
Who might benefit from a memory assessment?
Consider an assessment if you or a relative notice that:
- memory is getting worse over months
- the same questions are asked again and again
- mood, personality or behaviour has changed
- they get lost in places they know well
- managing money or medicines has become difficult
An assessment also helps if you are facing a long wait for an NHS appointment or would like a second opinion. Understanding the cause early makes planning ahead easier.
Private assessment and the NHS memory service
The Sheffield NHS memory service assesses people free of charge, usually after a referral from the GP, and waiting times vary. A private assessment with me offers:
- Home assessments usually available within 24–48 hours; clinic availability varies by location
- A longer consultation with a senior consultant
- Tests arranged quickly where needed
- A detailed written report, shared with your GP
A structured process
How the memory assessment works
Each assessment is thorough: about two hours of consultant time go into it.
Questionnaires at home
Before the appointment, you and someone who knows you well complete validated questionnaires online:
- AD8 early change in memory and thinking, reported by a relative
- IQCODE change over the past ten years
- GDS-15 screening for depression
- GAI-20 anxiety
- BADLS everyday activities
- NPI-Q behavioural symptoms, if needed
My review before we meet
I read every questionnaire, look for patterns across memory, mood and function, and plan what the consultation needs to focus on. This takes about an hour of my time.
The consultation, about 60 minutes
- a full history from you and, ideally, a relative or friend
- detailed cognitive testing (ACE-III or MoCA)
- neurological and physical examination
- review of medicines and other health conditions
Where appropriate I arrange blood tests, an ECG or a brain scan (MRI or CT).
Diagnosis and plan
I explain what I have found and what it means, and we agree a personalised plan. Often a diagnosis is possible at the first visit; if tests are needed first, I explain the next steps clearly.
Follow-up
Follow-up is arranged according to need. For people with a diagnosis, a six-monthly memory review tracks change over time, response to treatment and pressure on carers.
After the assessment
What you receive
- A detailed written report, usually 5–7 pages
- A clear explanation of the diagnosis
- Advice on treatment options
- Guidance on driving, where relevant
- Advice on support and planning ahead
- A letter to your GP, with your permission
If treatment is recommended
If medication may help, I discuss the options with you. The choice depends on the diagnosis, how severe the symptoms are, other conditions and medicines, and the balance of benefit and side effects.
Donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine or memantine may be suitable for some people with dementia. They do not cure dementia, but they can help symptoms in carefully selected patients. NICE recommends they are started on the advice of a clinician experienced in diagnosing and treating dementia.
Your GP may take over prescribing once treatment is established, depending on local NHS arrangements. Where that isn’t possible, private prescriptions can continue.
Questions about memory assessment
How do I book a memory assessment?
Use the booking form or call. You can also book clinic appointments directly with Spire Claremont, Circle Thornbury or LivingCare. A GP referral can help but is not required.
How quickly can I be seen?
Home assessments are usually available within 24–48 hours; clinic availability varies by location.
How long does the whole process take?
You complete the questionnaires at home first. I then spend about an hour reviewing them before the appointment, and the consultation itself takes about 60 minutes.
How much does a private memory assessment cost in Sheffield?
A memory assessment is £800 in clinic or £900 at home, plus travel for home visits (included up to 10 miles). Both include the questionnaire review, a 60-minute consultation and a written report to you and your GP. Extra time is £100 per 15 minutes.
Will I get a diagnosis in one visit?
Often, yes. If tests such as a brain scan are needed first, I explain the plan and complete the diagnosis once the results are available.
Should someone come with me?
Yes, if possible. A relative or close friend can describe changes that you may not notice yourself, which helps the assessment.
Can the assessment be done at home?
Yes. Home assessments are particularly helpful for people who are frail, housebound or unsettled by unfamiliar places.
Appointments
Book your memory assessment
Home assessments are usually available within 24–48 hours; clinic availability varies by location. Choose the place that suits you, or send the booking form and I’ll arrange it.
Spire Claremont Hospital
401 Sandygate Road, Sheffield
S10 5UBCircle Thornbury Hospital
312 Fulwood Road, Sheffield
S10 3BRLivingCare
Canon Medical Arena, Sheffield Medical Diagnostic Centre, Olympic Legacy Park, Worksop Road, Sheffield S9 3TL
S9 3TL
Home visits
Within 50 miles of Sheffield, often the same day.
New visit £500 (60 minutes). Travel included up to 10 miles.
Video consultations
By secure video link, UK-wide.
New consultation £300 (30 minutes). Includes a written report to you and your GP.
Related information
Sources and further reading
- NICE guideline NG97: Dementia: assessment, management and support for people living with dementia and their carers
- NHS website: Dementia symptoms and diagnosis
Written and reviewed by Dr Pravin Jha, Consultant Geriatrician & Memory Specialist. Last reviewed: September 2026.