An overview for patients visiting the Memory Clinic Assessment service.
The Brain Health Centre (BHC) is a new joint medical and research service, where patients can access high quality assessments (e.g. MRI instead of CT brain scan). The pilot for this innovative service is underway and involves some patients from the South of Oxfordshire.
Everyone who attends the BHC for medical tests is also given the opportunity to take part in research and help researchers to develop more efficient diagnoses and treatments for future patients.
► About the assessment
Everyone who attends the Brain Health Centre completes a set of medical tests, including brain scanning and memory tests. The results of these assessments are shared with your doctor to help decide any diagnosis or treatment that may be given at the memory clinic.
Before you arrive
If the memory service refers you to the Brain Health Centre, you will be contacted by one of our radiographers who will talk to you about the MRI scan. The radiographers will check you are suitable to have an MRI scan and we will then contact you to arrange an appointment.
Arriving for your appointment
Please report to reception at the yellow OHBA (Oxford Centre for Human Brain Activity) building at the Warneford Hospital. Directions to OHBA.
What will happen at the appointment?
- Welcome and introduction
- Memory tests
- MRI scan
- An opportunity to participate in research
What will happen next?
The results from the assessments and the MRI scan will be checked and then a report will be sent back to the doctors at the memory service. When you go to the memory clinic appointment, the doctors will then discuss the results of the tests with you.
About the MRI scan
Read about your MRI scan at the Brain Health Centre.
Watch a video about your MRI scan at the Brain Health Centre.
About the memory tests:
Watch a video about the about the memory tests.
► About the research
What is involved?
There are a number of ways you can choose to take part:
Storing your test results
You can allow us to store and use your medical test results for use in scientific research. You don’t have to do any extra tests. We will also store information related to your memory problem from your medical records.
Extra research tests
You can also choose to do some extra research tests on the same day as your medical tests. You decide how many extra tests you would like to do. We will store the results of research tests with your medical test results.
Hearing about future studies
You can also choose to hear about future research studies that you may wish to take part in. You do not have to take part in any of the studies that may be offered to you.
The person who comes with you to the BHC can also choose to complete some questionnaires, and be nominated to be contacted about future research on your behalf with their agreement.
What will happen to my information?
Your test results will be stored in the Brain Health Centre Research database, which is a collection of information stored securely on a computer. These results will not include your name or any other information that could identify you. Researchers can apply to access this information for scientific purposes.
We will also separately store your name, contact details and NHS number securely, so we can access your medical records and contact you about future studies, if you agree to this.
You can choose whether or not to take part in the research. If you decide not to take part, your medical care will not be affected.
You can withdraw from the Brain Health Centre Research Database at any time if you no longer want to be involved.
► Location and Contacts
Find directions to the Oxford Centre for Human Brain Activity here.
Contact us
By post:
BHC Administrator,
Oxford Centre for Human Brain Activity,
Warneford Hospital, Oxford, OX3 7BJ
By phone:
01865 618184 (Monday – Thursday 8:30-16:30)
An answer phone is available outside these hours.
Get Involved with our Advisory Group – Patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) in the Brain Health Centre ensures that the services are designed around those who use them.
The Brain Health Centre Advisory Group consists of members of the public, patients and carers who advise the Brain Health Centre and ensure that the service is centred around the needs of patients. The Advisory Group has written its own PPIE objectives.
We welcome new members to the advisory group and strive to make the group as diverse and representative as possible.
Find out more about patient and public involvement on our PPI pages or contact Alexandra Almeida at involvement@psych.ox.ac.uk for more information.
