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Specialist medicine · Memory problems · Private clinic in East London

Private memory problems clinic in London, same-day specialist medicine.

Worrying about your memory is common and usually not dementia. Some memory change is normal with age, some is caused by conditions that are entirely treatable, and some is early dementia — where diagnosis still brings real benefits. All three are worth distinguishing rather than worrying about. Our private specialist medicine clinic in East London offers same-day memory problems assessment with a private specialist, diagnosis and a clear treatment plan — usually without a referral and often the same day.

Book a private appointment Call 020 7916 0029
Same-day
appointments
Specialist-led
private care
No referral
needed

The condition

What is memory problems?

Worrying about your memory is common and usually not dementia. Some memory change is normal with age, some is caused by conditions that are entirely treatable, and some is early dementia — where diagnosis still brings real benefits. All three are worth distinguishing rather than worrying about.

  • What memory problems is
  • Symptoms to look for
  • Causes & risk factors
  • Tests & diagnosis
  • Treatment options
  • When to see a specialist

Understanding memory problems

Memory problems: symptoms, causes, tests & treatment

Seek urgent assessment if memory change comes with

  • sudden onset over hours or days, or fluctuating confusion
  • fever, or recent illness or infection
  • headache, weakness, visual change or difficulty speaking
  • a recent head injury, even a minor one weeks ago
  • hallucinations, or a marked personality change
  • rapid deterioration over weeks

Sudden or fluctuating confusion is delirium, not dementia, and usually has a treatable cause — infection, medication, dehydration or a metabolic problem. It needs same-day assessment. Memory change weeks after a head injury may be a slow bleed, particularly in older people or those on anticoagulants.

Normal ageing or not?

  • Usually normal — occasionally forgetting a name and recalling it later; misplacing keys and retracing steps to find them; needing lists more than you used to; being slower to learn new technology.
  • More concerning — forgetting recent conversations or events entirely; repeating the same question within a short period; getting lost somewhere familiar; difficulty with familiar tasks like cooking a known recipe or managing money; putting things in odd places; word-finding difficulty that interrupts conversation; withdrawal from activities.
  • The most useful sign is what others notice. People who come alone worried about their memory often have anxiety or depression; people brought in by family who have noticed changes more often have something else.

Reversible causes worth excluding

A meaningful proportion of memory problems have a treatable cause: depression (which impairs concentration and memory markedly, particularly in older people), thyroid disease, B12 or folate deficiency, sleep apnoea, alcohol, medication — particularly sedatives, strong painkillers, bladder medicines and sedating antihistamines — and hearing loss, which is now recognised as one of the largest modifiable risk factors for dementia. Every one of these is worth checking before anything else is concluded.

What assessment involves

  • History from you and, importantly, from someone who knows you well — the two accounts often differ, and that difference is informative
  • A cognitive test, taking 10 to 20 minutes
  • Blood tests — full blood count, B12, folate, ferritin, thyroid, kidney and liver function, calcium, glucose or HbA1c
  • Review of every medicine, including anything bought over the counter
  • Screening for depression, anxiety and sleep problems
  • Hearing and vision check — both affect cognitive test performance and daily function
  • Brain imaging where indicated, usually MRI or CT

Why an early diagnosis is worth having

  • It identifies the reversible causes, which is the most immediately useful outcome.
  • Medication for Alzheimer's disease works better started earlier.
  • It allows planning while you have capacity — lasting power of attorney, financial arrangements, and expressing your own wishes rather than others guessing later.
  • It opens access to support, benefits including attendance allowance, and research studies.
  • It explains things to family, which frequently transforms how difficulties are interpreted at home.
  • You must inform the DVLA of a dementia diagnosis; many people continue driving safely for a period with regular review.

Reducing your risk

Genuinely protective

  • Treating hearing loss — hearing aids, and the evidence here is strong
  • Regular physical exercise
  • Controlling blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol from midlife
  • Stopping smoking, and keeping alcohol within limits
  • Staying socially and mentally engaged; treating depression

Less evidence

  • Brain-training apps, which improve the specific task and little else
  • Most supplements marketed for memory
  • Coconut oil and similar remedies
  • Assuming it runs in families and nothing can be done
  • Avoiding a diagnosis in the hope it stays away

Specialist medicine services we offer

Expert care under one roof

From same-day GP assessment to specialist care, scans and tests — with a clear plan the same visit.

Private GP
No referral

Private GP

Same-day GP to start your care.

Specialist Medicine
Consultant

Specialist Medicine

Access to specialists & referral.

MRI & Imaging
Imaging

MRI & Imaging

Fast brain & spine MRI access.

Private Blood Tests
Fast results

Private Blood Tests

Diagnostic blood tests, explained.

Headache & Migraine
Clinic

Headache & Migraine

Diagnosis & a treatment plan.

Mental Health
Related

Mental Health

Where mood or memory is affected.

Book a private specialist appointment

Simple & reassuring

Seen today, in three easy steps

1

Book in a minute

Book online any time or call reception — no GP referral needed for most appointments.

2

Seen quickly

A GMC-registered clinician assesses you, with tests and scans arranged in-house where possible.

3

Diagnosis & plan

You leave with a clear diagnosis, treatment, and any specialist care or scan arranged.

Book same-day appointment Call 020 7916 0029

Private assessment

See a private specialist for memory problems in London

At our private specialist medicine clinic on Whitechapel Road in East London, you can see a private specialist or memory problems doctor without a referral — most days, often the same day. A private GP in East London or consultant specialist will assess you, arrange the right tests and explain your diagnosis and treatment options clearly. We help patients across East London, Canary Wharf, the City, Docklands and Aldgate who want fast, private answers about memory problems.

Book a private memory problems assessment

Local, private, fast

A private specialist medicine clinic for East London & Canary Wharf

Tower Bridge Hospital is on Whitechapel Road in the heart of East London — minutes from Canary Wharf, the City of London, Docklands and Aldgate. Patients across Tower Hamlets, Wapping, Limehouse and Bethnal Green choose us for a fast, private memory problems appointment with a specialist, without the wait or the referral.

Why choose us

Why choose our East London private specialist medicine clinic

  • Same-day, no referral — private GP and specialist medicine under one roof
  • Specialist-led care with GMC-registered clinicians
  • Tests & scans on site, results explained the same visit
  • Minutes from Canary Wharf & the City of London
  • A named clinician who explains your results clearly
  • Transparent pricing and a plan you can act on

Ready when you are

See a private specialist for memory problems — the same day.

Book a private memory problems assessment in East London: same-day appointments, specialist-led care and a clear plan. No referral needed.

Book same-day appointment 020 7916 0029

Common questions

Memory problems in London: your questions answered

Where can I find a private memory problems specialist near me in East London?

Our private specialist medicine clinic is on Whitechapel Road in East London, minutes from Canary Wharf and the City. You can see a private specialist or memory problems doctor for assessment and treatment, usually the same day and without a referral.

Can I see a private specialist for memory problems the same day?

Yes. We hold same-day private appointments most days, including Saturdays, so you can be assessed by a specialist or GP quickly, with tests done in-house where possible.

How much does a private memory problems appointment cost in London?

We keep pricing transparent — see our fees page or call 020 7916 0029, and we will explain the cost of the memory problems assessment and any tests before you book.

Do I need a referral to see a private specialist for memory problems?

No. You can book directly with our clinic. If you are unsure whether to start with a private GP or a specialist, we will guide you.

Which areas do you serve for private memory problems care?

We see private patients from across East London, Canary Wharf, the City of London, Docklands, Aldgate, Wapping, Limehouse and Tower Hamlets.

Medically reviewed by Dr Haydar Bolat — Clinical Director, GMC 7138332. Last reviewed August 2026 · next review August 2027. Written in line with our editorial & content-review policy, using guidance from the NHS, NICE and the relevant royal colleges. This information is general and does not replace personal medical advice.

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Related services & information

Private GP
No referral

Private GP

Same-day GP to start your care.

Specialist Medicine
Consultant

Specialist Medicine

Access to specialists & referral.

MRI & Imaging
Imaging

MRI & Imaging

Fast brain & spine MRI access.

Private Blood Tests
Fast results

Private Blood Tests

Diagnostic blood tests, explained.

Insurance accepted
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In an emergency, call 999. Tower Bridge Hospital London is not an emergency service. Your nearest A&E is The Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel Road E1 1FR — 5 minutes’ walk from our front door.

Areas we serve

Private memory problems care near you — Whitechapel, the City & Canary Wharf

Patients visit our Whitechapel clinic for private memory problems assessment and treatment from right across East London, the City and the Docklands — including Aldgate, Bethnal Green, Bow, Shoreditch, Canary Wharf, Stratford, Bermondsey and the surrounding areas. Same-day and walk-in appointments are available and you do not need a GP referral.

Easy to reach — minutes from the Royal London Hospital and Aldgate East, Whitechapel, Aldgate and Liverpool Street stations, and one stop from Canary Wharf on the Elizabeth line.

Private memory problems treatment near me? If you are searching for private memory problems treatment near me, a memory problems doctor or specialist near me, or a private clinic near me in East London, our Whitechapel practice is on your doorstep — walk-in and same-day appointments, no GP referral, and no long NHS waiting list.

Book a same-day appointment or call 020 7916 0029. See our transparent fees. Open Monday to Saturday. Private clinic on Whitechapel Road, London E1 — serving Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Newham, Islington, the City of London and Southwark.

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