Neuropsychology Outpatient Service

 

Patients are often referred to neuropsychology because they are experiencing cognitive (memory, language or concentration) difficulties.

A neuropsychological assessment can provide useful information for the patient and referrer, and can help inform or guide approaches that may be helpful in reducing or managing these difficulties.

If there have been changes in a person's brain, such as through an injury or as part of a neurological condition, then it may be helpful to better understand the impact of these changes.

Neuropsychological assessment can also be helpful at identifying whether cognitive symptoms might be the result of causes other than a change in the brain, such as from fatigue or mood difficulties.

We often review patients who are undergoing certain neurosurgical procedures, such as for epilepsy and Parkinson's disease to help better understand any cognitive impacts of their condition prior to going ahead with surgery.

We provide a specialist neuropsychology service for certain patients undergoing awake neurosurgery, in which we provide additional support as well as intraoperative mapping and monitoring of neuropsychological functioning.

The Neuropsychology Department also provides a group based psychoeducation and coping skills programme to help people who have a form of functional neurological disorder that is associated with dissociative seizures to better understand their condition and to learn some strategies that can be helpful in coping and managing with the condition. This service does not replace the psychological treatments that are available in the Talking Therapy and other NHS services but can be helpful for some people in understanding and managing their condition.