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Care network on show for Dementia Week

September 23, 2004

This is National Dementia Awareness Week, and in Armidale a network of assessment and support services is making people aware of dementia issues and the help that is available.

New England Primary Dementia Care Network (working in conjunction with Alzheimer’s Australia NSW) mounted an information stall in an Armidale shopping arcade today. The Network comprises the New England Division of General Practice, New England Area Health Service, the University of New England’s School of Psychology, and Armidale Dumaresq Council.

Established at the beginning of last year with a State Government grant, the Network coordinates all the relevant services to support GPs in their assessment and referral of patients with cognitive problems living in and around Armidale, Guyra, Uralla and Walcha. It has recently been extended to Inverell.

Dr James Donnelly, a UNE lecturer and neuropsychologist, supervises the cognitive assessment of patients for the Network. “This program is the only one of its type outside the major cities in Australia,” he said. “It is unique in its ability to link rural GPs to university expertise in dementia assessment.”

Dr Donnelly said the assessment program at UNE had received vital financial support from the New England Credit Union, including funds raised by the Credit Union’s Staff Foundation.

The services the Network provides are coordinated under the title “Memory Assessment Program and Support Services”. The coordinator, Margaret Allen from the New England Division of General Practice, said the Network had already helped about 40 people. “We set out to provide support for people in the early stages of dementia (and their families), and to link them to community services,” she said. “We have achieved that.”

For more information on the Memory Assessment Program and Support Services, ring Margaret Allen on (02) 6771 1146.

Media contact: Dr James Donnelly, School of Psychology, UNE (02) 6773 3772 or Jim Scanlan, Public Relations, UNE (02) 6773 3049.

For photographs, please contact Jim Scanlan on (02) 6773 3049.

Posted by Jim Scanlan at September 23, 2004 04:01 PM