In a life threatening emergency dial Triple Zero (000)

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Our neuropsychology service provides cognitive assessments for people with thinking difficulties due to brain injury, stroke, or dementia.

About this service

Neuropsychological assessments can help inform your rehabilitation after a brain injury or illness. These assessments also help with diagnoses of conditions like dementia and can give information about when and how you can return to work and other activities.

Completing an assessment with a neuropsychologist can help you to:

  • understand your current thinking skills and any changes
  • understand how these might impact on your daily life
  • discuss strategies to support your thinking skills in daily life.

Who we care for

Our services are available for:

  • People who are recovering from a recent brain injury or illness.
  • Older people with worsening cognitive difficulties.

Our service is available to adults who live in the ACT and is free for Medicare or Asylum Seeker cardholders.

How to access this service

You need a referral from a doctor or another service Canberra Health Services. You must also meet eligibility criteria.

Your doctor will send your referral to our Central Health Intake team.

What to expect

An assessment usually takes place over two or three sessions. During an assessment we will:

  • Speak with you to discuss any changes in your thinking skills. The neuropsychologist may ask to speak to a family member or close friend to hear their point of view.
  • Ask you to complete a series of tasks looking at memory, thinking speed, problem solving and other thinking skills. This includes ’paper and pencil’ tasks, remembering information, and answering questions.
  • Hold a feedback session to look at the results and explain what they mean for you in everyday life. You are welcome to bring a family member or friend to the feedback session. We’ll give you a written summary of recommendations and strategies that may help you in your everyday life.

We’ll also write a formal report for the person who referred you. We can send a copy to your GP or other health professional if you’d like us to.

What to bring to your appointment

  • Medicare card
  • Any letters or correspondence from your GP
  • List of medicines you are currently taking (or the boxes), including medicines you have bought without a prescription, such as herbal supplements and vitamins
  • Previous x-ray films, scans, ultrasounds or any other test results or reports

Where we’re located

Brindabella Day and Ambulatory Rehabilitation Service, University of Canberra Hospital.

We have directions to University of Canberra Hospital.

Resources

Australian Psychology Society (APS)

Information for referrers

Referral options:

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In the case of a life threatening emergency, dial Triple Zero (000).

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Contact us

Switchboard Canberra Hospital
(02) 5124 0000

International callers
+61 (2) 5124 0000

Switchboard North Canberra Hospital
(02) 6201 6111

International callers
+61 (2) 6201 6111

Switchboard other hospitals and services
(02) 5124 0000

International callers
+61 (2) 5124 0000

The switchboard handles all calls to, from and within the hospital 24 hours/seven days a week