Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the advantages of coming to the Caledonian Memory Clinic?
2. Who runs the Caledonian Memory Clinic?
3. Who will see me at the Caledonian Memory Clinic?
4. How long does it take to be assessed at the Caledonian Memory Clinic?
5. Where is the Caledonian Memory Clinic held?
6. Is there parking at the Caledonian Memory Clinic?
7. What sort of brain imaging scan is done at the Caledonian Memory Clinic?
8. What treatments are provided at the Caledonian Memory Clinic?
9. How much does it cost to attend the Caledonian Memory Clinic?
10. What is dementia?
11. What is Alzheimer’s disease?
12. What blood tests does my GP need to perform before referring me to the Caledonian Memory Clinic?

1 What are the advantages of coming to the Caledonian Memory Clinic?
We offer people concerned that they may be developing Alzheimer’s disease a clinic based service that is unique in the UK and involves a comprehensive specialist assessment, including a brain imaging scan, with the opportunity of a clinical diagnosis and immediate initiation of cholinesterase inhibitor drug treatment – all at a SINGLE CLINIC VISIT
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2 Who runs the Caledonian Memory Clinic?
Dr Colin Rodger is the Consultant Psychiatrist who has established and runs the Caledonian Memory Clinic service. He graduated from Aberdeen University in 1982 and is a registered specialist in both General Adult Psychiatry and Psychiatry of Old Age. He worked as an NHS consultant East Lothian from 1994 until leaving the NHS in 2006, and in that time he led the development of NHS memory clinic services for dementia sufferers and their carers.
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3 Who will see me at the Caledonian Memory Clinic?
Patients attending the clinic will be assessed by Dr Rodger, or one of his specialist Consultant colleagues, and also by one of the specialist nurses who undertake further psychometric and psychological tests. The assessment process also involves a brain imaging scan carried out by radiology technicians and reported by a Consultant Radiologist.
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4 How long does it take to be assessed at the Caledonian Memory Clinic?
The clinic is organised in a number of steps or stages, with intervals in between to allow the opportunity for refreshments or a breath of fresh air – and the whole process takes around 2 hours.
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5 Where is the Caledonian Memory Clinic held?
Clinic Location
The Edinburgh Clinic
40 Colinton Road
Edinburgh
EH10 5BT
web link - Where to find us

The Edinburgh Clinic is just 10 minutes from Edinburgh City centre and 10 minutes from the City Bypass. Situated in the leafy suburb of Morningside, overlooking the George Watson's School playing fields, there is ample free parking on-site for 20 cars and off-street parking (metered) just in front of the premises.

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6 Is there parking at the Caledonian Memory Clinic?
Yes - Where to find us
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7 What sort of brain imaging scan is done at the Caledonian Memory Clinic? The clinic can perform Computerised Tomography (CT) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans and the most appropriate investigation will be guided by the clinic consultants.
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8 What treatments are provided at the Caledonian Memory Clinic?
The aim of the Caledonian Memory Clinic is to initiate cholinesterase inhibitor treatment for patients diagnosed with early Alzheimer’s disease. If other conditions are diagnosed then treatment recommendations will be discussed with patients and recommended to their GP’s.
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9 How much does it cost to attend the Caledonian Memory Clinic? Fee for the initial clinic visit, with Specialist assessment,

psychometric testing, brain scan imaging, diagnosis andinitiation of treatment (where appropriate) = £850.00

Fee for the follow up clinic visit for review = £100.00

The clinic is run by specialists recognised by the private health insurance industry. If you have a private health insurance policy some or all of the costs may be covered – check your policy and/or with your insurer.

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10 What is dementia?
The term ‘dementia’ refers to significant progressive memory loss and this can be caused by a variety of different clinical conditions, the most common of which is Alzheimer’s disease, although sometimes different clinical conditions can be present in combination.
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11 What is Alzheimer’s disease?
This condition is caused by progressive, premature brain cell death. The condition encourages a premature deterioration in all aspects of intellectual and cognitive function. Early diagnosis allows for plans to be made for the future; for people to access appropriate sources of advice and support; and for people to have the opportunity to benefit from drug treatments that are now available.
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12 What blood tests does my GP need to perform before referring me to the Caledonian Memory Clinic?

• Urea and electrolytes
• Full blood count
• Vitamin B12 and Folate
• Liver function tests
• Thyroid function tests
• Blood glucose
• Calcium and phosphate

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