Patients

Information for Patients

A comprehensive assessment of cognitive and brain health for adults aged 45 years and over.

Have You Been Referred to the OBHM Clinic?

You may have been referred to the OBHM Research Clinic because you, your GP, or another health professional has noticed ongoing changes in your memory, thinking, concentration, word finding, thinking speed, problem solving, navigation, or general brain fog. You may also be reading this because you are wondering whether the Clinic could be suitable for you.

The Clinic provides a comprehensive assessment of cognitive and brain health for adults aged 45 years and over. These types of concerns can occur for many reasons, including sleep disturbance, stress, mood changes, menopause or perimenopause, medical conditions, medication effects, functional cognitive symptoms, normal ageing, or early cognitive change. Our aim is to better understand your concerns, identify possible contributing factors, and provide personalised recommendations to support your brain health, wellbeing, and everyday functioning.

The OBHM Research Clinic also contributes to research aimed at improving early identification and prevention of cognitive decline and dementia. Participation in research is voluntary and will be discussed with you as part of the Clinic process.

Who the Clinic is For

The OBHM Research Clinic is for adults aged 45 years and over who have been experiencing ongoing concerns about their memory, thinking, concentration, word finding, thinking speed, problem solving, navigation, or brain fog.

These concerns may be subtle or difficult to explain, but still noticeable in everyday life, work, relationships, or confidence. Some people may be worried because symptoms feel different from normal ageing, while others may have concerns in the context of stress, sleep disturbance, mood changes, menopause or perimenopause, ADHD, medical conditions, medication effects, family history of dementia, or other brain health risk factors.

The Clinic may be suitable if you would benefit from a comprehensive assessment to better understand your symptoms, identify possible contributing factors, and receive personalised recommendations to support your brain health.

The OBHM Research Clinic assessment is provided at no cost to patients.

What to Expect

We understand that concerns about your memory or thinking can feel worrying and that you may be unsure about what to expect from the assessment process.

The OBHM Research Clinic has been designed to provide a comprehensive and supportive assessment of your brain health. Our multidisciplinary team will work with you to better understand your concerns, identify any factors that may be contributing to your symptoms, and provide personalised recommendations to support your brain health and wellbeing.

The diagram below outlines each step of your journey through the Clinic, from referral to assessment, results, and (where you choose to participate) follow-up as part of our ongoing research.

OBHM Research Clinic – Patient Journey

Referral

A GP or medical specialist submits a referral to the OBHM Research Clinic based on the patient’s suitability and eligibility.

Contact

The patient is contacted within 10 working days of referral submission.

Eligibility is verified
Appointments are scheduled
Questionnaires and screening forms are emailed to the patient

Appointment One

Location: NeuRA, Randwick
Duration: 4–5 hours

May include MRI brain, neuropsychological assessment, and a blood test request form.

The blood test must be completed at least two working days before Appointment Two.

Appointment Two

Location: NeuRA, Randwick
Duration: 45–60 mins

Medical specialist review, feedback on assessment findings, personalised recommendations to optimise brain health, and referrals as required.

Reports

A report summarising the results, recommendations, and suggested referrals is emailed to the patient and referring doctor within one month of the final assessment.

Follow Up & Research

Patients are contacted to arrange their 12-month review, and are offered the opportunity to participate in ongoing research.

What to Bring

To help us complete your assessment, please bring:

A list of your current medications, including prescription, over-the-counter, and any supplements
Any relevant medical reports, specialist letters, blood test results, or brain imaging reports if you have them
Your glasses, hearing aids, or other supports you usually use
A drink, snacks, and anything you may need to stay comfortable during the appointment

Reports, Results and Privacy

After your assessment has been completed, the Clinic team will review your results and discuss the findings with you. You will receive feedback about your cognitive and brain health, including any factors that may be contributing to your concerns and recommendations to support your wellbeing and everyday functioning.

You will receive a written report prepared for you in clear and accessible language. A clinical report will also usually be provided to your referring doctor and/or nominated GP, so they can support your ongoing care.

Your assessment information is treated confidentially. With your consent, results may also be shared with other relevant treating clinicians involved in your care. You can discuss who you would like your results shared with as part of the Clinic process.

If you choose to participate in research, your information will be handled in accordance with privacy and research governance requirements. Research findings are usually reported in grouped or de-identified form, meaning you would not be personally identified.

Patient FAQs

Why have I been referred for this assessment?

You may have been referred because you have noticed ongoing changes in your memory, concentration, word finding, thinking speed, or other aspects of your thinking. The assessment is designed to better understand these concerns, identify possible contributing factors, and provide personalised recommendations to support your brain health.

Is there a cost to attend the Clinic?

There is no cost to patients to attend the OBHM Research Clinic assessment.

What kinds of memory or thinking changes are you looking for?

We look at different areas of thinking, including memory, attention, concentration, word finding, problem solving, planning, processing speed, and visual or spatial skills. We also consider how these changes may be affecting your everyday life, work, relationships, or confidence.

What does the neuropsychological assessment involve?

The neuropsychological assessment involves a range of thinking tasks designed to assess areas such as memory, attention, language, problem solving, processing speed, and other thinking skills. You may also be asked about your mood, sleep, stress, medical history, daily functioning, and lifestyle factors that can affect brain health.

How long will it take?

The assessment usually takes place over two appointments. The first appointment is approximately 4–5 hours and includes MRI brain imaging and cognitive assessment. The second appointment is approximately 1 hour and involves review with the medical specialists, feedback on the assessment findings, and personalised recommendations to support and optimise brain health.

Will there be blood tests, brain scans, or other medical investigations?

The assessment pathway includes a blood test, MRI brain imaging, cognitive testing, questionnaires, and review by medical specialists. These investigations help the Clinic team better understand possible contributors to your cognitive concerns and make appropriate recommendations.

What additional assessments might be needed?

Depending on your symptoms and assessment findings, the Clinic may recommend additional assessments or referrals. For example, some people may benefit from a sleep assessment, further medical review, mental health support, medication review, or other specialist input. Any recommended next steps will be discussed with you and included in your report.

How long is the wait for the first appointment?

Wait times can vary depending on Clinic availability and suitability for the assessment pathway. After your referral is received, the Clinic team will review the information and contact you about the next steps within 10 business days.

Will my GP or specialist receive the report?

Yes. The clinical report is usually provided to your referring doctor and/or nominated GP. With your consent, it may also be shared with other relevant treating clinicians involved in your care.

Will I receive a written report?

Yes. You will receive a written report that explains the assessment findings and recommendations in clear and accessible language. A clinical report will also usually be provided to your referring doctor and/or nominated GP, with your consent.

Who else will see the results?

Your results are treated confidentially. They are usually shared with your referring doctor and/or nominated GP. With your consent, they may also be shared with other relevant treating clinicians involved in your care.

What does it mean to consent to my data being used for research purposes?

The OBHM Research Clinic also aims to improve understanding of brain health and cognitive change in midlife and later life. If you consent to your data being used for research, information from your assessment may be used to help researchers better understand cognitive symptoms, risk factors, prevention, and early identification of cognitive change.

Your information would be handled confidentially and used in a way that protects your privacy. Research results are usually reported in grouped or de-identified form, meaning you would not be personally identified. Participation in research is voluntary, and the Clinic team will explain what consent means before you decide.

Will I need another assessment in the future?

As part of the OBHM Research Clinic's longitudinal study, some patients may be invited to return for a 12-month review. This follow-up assessment helps the Clinic team better understand how cognitive concerns, brain health factors, and assessment findings may change over time.

A 12-month review can also provide an opportunity to monitor whether thinking skills have remained stable, improved, or changed since the initial assessment. Participation in follow-up is voluntary and will be discussed with you as part of the research consent process.

What if the assessment finds something unexpected?

If the assessment identifies an unexpected finding or concern, this will be discussed with you in a clear and supportive way. The Clinic team may recommend further investigations, referral to another specialist, or follow-up with your GP or treating doctor. The aim is to help you understand the findings and guide appropriate next steps for your care.