Neuropsychological Outpatient Services - Port Kembla Hospital

What the service is

Outpatient neuropsychological assessments and interventions for people concerned about the way they remember, think, or behave.

What we do

Neuropsychological assessments are conducted to help:

• Understand how your medical condition has changed your memory, thinking, and behaviour.
• We will use this information, along with the results of other tests, to get a better idea of your abilities. This might help identify a medical problem.
• Some of our tests give us a good idea how you will do on everyday skills. For example they can tell us how well you can manage your money, drive, or return to work.
• The results help to identify what problems to work on and the best strategies to use.
• Individual and group treatment options are also provided, where appropriate.

When to access this service

An assessment is done when there is concern about changes in the way you remember, think or act.
The change may be due to any number of medical causes.

What to expect

The assessment is carried out by a psychologist. The psychologist has advanced training in how the brain functions.
A number of tests are used to measure many functions of the brain (e.g. memory, attention, language, problem-solving, and other thinking skills).
You will be asked about any changes you have noticed, your medical history, and other important things.
The testing involves doing paper and pencil based tasks, doing puzzles, remembering information, and answering questions.
It can take several hours to test the many skills. This is often done over a couple of sessions.

Who should access this service

Referrals are accepted for adults (18 years and over) requiring assessment and/or intervention of suspected cognitive impairment. For instance:

1. Neurodegenerative conditions, e.g. Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Huntington’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis.
2. Vascular Disorders.
3. Neurological disorders (e.g. Brain tumours, Epilepsy).
4. Chronic medical conditions, e.g. diabetes, renal impairment.
5. Non-degenerative Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), (e.g. CVA, hypoxia, infection) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) when they do not meet criteria for local brain injury services.

How to access this service

Referrals for Neuropsychology assessment and intervention are accepted from Medical Specialists, Psychologists and other Allied Health clinicians.  Referrals are accepted in writing either by email, post, or fax.

What to bring

This is what you should bring to your first visit :

• Someone who knows you well (if they are available)
• Your glasses (if needed)
• Your hearing aids (if needed)
• Any brain scans
• Any other reports or test results.