Mercy to host free memory awareness day
Cillian Ferry
A leading Cork hospital will host a free Memory Awareness Day to support pathways for individuals living with memory difficulties, their families and healthcare professionals in the south of Ireland.
The specialist level 3 regional clinic is inviting patients, families, carers and healthcare professionals to the open information event on Tuesday 6 October. St Brendan’s Regional Specialist Memory Clinic, located at the Lancaster Gate Medical Building of Mercy University Hospital (MUH), is hosting an event designed to showcase the vital services provided by the clinic, offering practical guidance and clinical information.
From 3pm to 7pm, attendees at the awareness event will have the opportunity to engage directly with the clinic’s multidisciplinary team, including representatives for geriatric medicine, neurology, neuroradiology, neuropsychology, advanced nurse practitioners, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, dietetics, medical social work and the brain health team.
Key external support organisations will also be on hand, including dementia advisers from the Alzheimer Society of Ireland and representatives from the Memory Technology Resource Centre, who will showcase assistive daily living aids, home supports and practical community resources.
Speaking ahead of the event, Dr Rónán O’Caoimh, Consultant Geriatrician/Clinical Lead, St Brendan’s, said: “Receiving an accurate, timely diagnosis and having clear, continuous support can make a profound difference to a person experiencing complex cognitive changes and their family. Our Level 3 service at St Brendan’s is designed to provide comprehensive, sensitive diagnostic assessments paired with dedicated post-diagnostic care. This awareness day offers an open, informal setting where the public, families and healthcare colleagues can meet our interdisciplinary team, ask questions and discover the wide spectrum of care and community supports available.”
St Brendan’s is one of four national level 3 specialist memory services developed and funded under the HSE National Service Plan, in alignment with Ireland’s Model of Care for Dementia. Delivered through a dedicated geriatric medicine-led multidisciplinary team, the clinic provides in-depth assessment and structured post diagnostic support for patients aged 65 or older with complex or atypical symptoms, as well as individuals of any age with suspected Young Onset Dementia.
The service is actively accepting referrals from general practitioners.