My husband began attending the Memory Clinic in May 2012 (then aged 58). Since then, up until last September he has attended the Memory Clinic every six months - during which time his medication has been discussed / agreed and the memory test taken - showing a slow but continued decline.
Our most recent appointment was last September. We saw a new consultant (the fifth one now in nearly 3yrs!) - and at that appointment we were informed that future follow-ups would be shared between the Memory Clinic and our GP.
It will be interesting to find out if our GP has any clue whatsoever about dementia, because other than referring my husband for the initial tests at the Memory Clinic, the GP has had no contact with my husband about his diagnosis or how it affects him (though, like us, the GP receives a general report on how my husband fared in each memory test and confirmation of what the current level of medication should be.
I don't think it will be much longer before my husband is asked to just see the GP for his 6 monthly assessments. I don't think we'll miss the Memory Clinic at this point - the people there are very nice but to be honest, the visits aren't particularly helpful. The only bonus is that my husband sees it as a chance to get out of the house and have a chat with whoever his latest consultant might be!
In reality I think it is better for my husband to see the GP as I want my husband to have someone who will stick around and be a familiar face and who will get to know him better (rather than dealing with the constant change of staff at the Memory Clinic) - and also because I think I would be more likely to contact our GP rather than the Memory Clinic should we have any kind of emergency.
Having said all that, I must also add I was taken aback at our last Memory Clinic visit. For the first time in nearly three years' of visits, the new consultant actually asked ME how I was feeling / coping! I suddenly felt a bit emotional but just said very quickly that I was coping fine in general. I didn't think that it was the right time to give out any other kind of message - not with my husband sitting there. The last thing I want is for him to think he is causing me any kind of stress or distress.
Still, it was nice to be asked at least - and it may be a sign that the health professionals are more understanding about how things affect the family and carers - and ready to sign-post them to wherever the support is when needed