Barriers and Possible Delays Faced in Accessing the Cardiff and Vale Memory Assessment Service

Introduction: With the anticipated rise in the annual number of dementia cases in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan (C&V), improvements in dementia diagnosis rates are essential. However, barriers to accessing support still exist, precipitating delays in diagnosis and establishing appropriate interventions. This article aims to highlight potential barriers patients attending the C&V Memory Assessment Service (MAS) may face, as well as ascertain possible delays within diagnostic pathways of cognitively impaired patients.

Methodology: Demographic and primary data analysis was undertaken using a questionnaire. Data was collected in an outpatient setting at two hospitals in C&V. WCP supplemented additional information on patient referrals and memory appointments. Subsequent findings were reviewed.

Results: The C&V MAS received satisfactory feedback from 87.2% of patients, with negative comments surrounding the lack of awareness of support available in the community. 34.5% (n=19)of participants faced difficulties in accessing support. Barriers included stigma, the Covid-19 pandemic, language, delayed GP referrals to the MAS, transport, and parking. The survey discovered an underrepresentation of ethnic minority dementia patients attending the C&V MAS. 94.5% (n=52) of patients were of Caucasian ethnicity. The remaining patients (5.5%) who were from ethnic minority backgrounds reported facing language and/or stigma barriers in obtaining support. The average duration for patients to present to primary care where applicable was 6-12 months from cognitive symptom recognition.

Conclusion: It is evident that the data obtained is not an accurate representation of the overall C&V dementia population, due to sample bias. Educational and strategic interventions need to be implemented to target this issue as well as barriers identified to accessing care.