Services include neuropsychological assessment, consultation, cognitive rehabilitation and behaviour support.
Appropriate referrals include:
- Cognitive baseline for discharge planning
- Characterisation of cognitive strengths and weaknesses (and severity of impairments) post injury/illness
- Behaviour management and cognitive rehabilitation/compensatory strategies
- Education to patient and family regarding cognitive and behaviour changes
- Repeat assessment to monitor recovery or progression of deterioration
- Decision-making capacity
Please be aware that patients who are from a Non-English speaking background will require an interpreter to be present for the assessment in order for it to be valid.
Referrals are not appropriate if:
- The patient is medically unwell
- The patient's cognitive state is not stable (e.g., known delirium, florid psychosis, acute alcohol withdrawal etc.)
- The patient has a known diagnosis of dementia which is fairly advanced
- The patient does not have a reliable yes/no response or is unable to comprehend and respond to one-step commands
Referrers should note that some presentations are influenced by medical complications which may improve with treatment and re-referral may be appropriate when the patient is more medically recovered.
