General appointment information

To make appointments for clinical consultations, Gold Coast Memory Disorders Clinic appointments, medico-legal evaluations, and competency assessments, please make bookings through my practice phone number.  For clinical consultations and memory clinic appointments, a referral letter from a GP or other doctor is required to receive Medicare reimbursement.  My standard clinical fees are just a few dollars above the Medicare rebate.

Gold Coast Memory Disorders Clinic

Memory Clinic visits involve an initial comprehensive cognitive, medical and mental health assessment. Patients then undergo a series of investigations, including psychological testing (www.impacthealth.com.au/, www.banorapsychology.com.au), speech and language assessment, blood and urine tests, and brain imaging. At the second visit, the investigations are reviewed and a treatment and memory rehabilitation plan are developed. The plan includes counselling to assist the patient and carers cope with the condition, cognitive remediation, and an emphasis on lifestyle changes that reduce risk factors and enhance protective factors for dementia. Anti-dementia medications are used when appropriate. Psychotropic medications and non-medication approaches are used carefully if behavioural and mood disturbances complicate the clinical picture. Patients are linked in with community support services. The plan is implemented in collaboration with the patient’s local doctor.

Medico-legal and capacity reports

Medico-legal evaluations and capacity assessments should usually be accompanied by a letter of referral or instruction from a lawyer or insurance company or other requesting organisation.

Tele-health

Tele-health consultations need to be accompanied by a GP referral (a brief letter is sufficient and can be emailed) and are available to all patients living outside the metropolitan areas of capital cities.  The patient will need to be familiar with operating a computer (or having a carer to help).  A computer with a camera and a good internet connection, along with a video-conferencing program such as Skype, FaceTime, or similar software, is required.  Tele-health consultations are bulk-billed.