New one-stop memory clinics

One-stop memory assessment clinics will now be held on Saturdays in a pilot scheme 

at the Lincoln Community Diagnostic Centre.

The 12-month pilot, funded by NHS England, will see the local mental health trust, Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT), working collaboratively with Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals NHS Group (LCHG) to provide a streamlined, same-day memory assessment service at the centre.

This means those on the waiting list will be offered an additional option to attend on a Saturday and get everything done in one visit, rather than make multiple visits to different sites. Patients will also be able to access all the diagnostic tests they need in one location and, where necessary, receive both their diagnosis and a conversation about treatment options during the same visit.

The decision to pilot the clinic in Lincoln was strongly influenced by the presence of the already-established Community Diagnostic Centre, along with the city’s higher-than-average wait times for memory assessments across Lincolnshire.

The Lincoln Community Diagnostic Centre has been open on Beevor Street, just off Tritton Road, since December 2024. The centre offers a range of NHS diagnostic services, such as MRI and CT imaging, X-rays and general medical ultrasound scanning. It is easy to access from the city centre with free car parking.

The new memory assessment clinics will run from 9am to 5pm on Saturdays and are expected to accommodate six to eight patients per day.

Georgina Ellis, Service Manager for the Memory Assessment and Management Service at LPFT, said: “Launching this pilot in Lincoln gives us a real opportunity to rethink how memory assessments are delivered. By offering a complete service in a single visit, we’re aiming to reduce delays and make the experience more accessible for patients and their families.

“It’s a positive step towards more collaborative care, and we’re excited to see how this approach could shape future services across Lincolnshire.”

Claire Lloyd, Programme Lead for Community Diagnostic Centres at LCHG, added: “The launch of the new memory assessment clinics is another exciting and welcome addition to the growing range of services we are offering at Lincoln Community Diagnostic Centre. Having to undergo any kind of test can be a daunting experience, but we hope that bringing services into the community and away from our busy hospitals can make it an easier and more convenient experience.”

If you or someone you care for is currently waiting for a memory assessment in Lincoln or nearby, speak to your care coordinator or GP to find out if the Saturday clinic could be an option for you.