1. Introduction Over the years a variety of different tools have been developed to test cognition and screen for cognitive impairment. The NICE guideline 42 revised in 2011 recommends the assessment of cognitive decline using one of four standardised instruments: 1.Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) 2.6-Item Cognitive Impairment Test (6-CIT) 3.General Practitioner Assessment of Cognition (GPCOG) 4.7-Minute Screen Analysis of Cognitive Testing in Rubislaw Medical Practice Dr Jonathon Taylor, Rubislaw Place Medical Group, Aberdeen 2013 Results Of the 30 records examined 6 of the patient’s were diagnosed with dementia following hospital admission – there had been no previous cognitive testing performed in primary care and therefore they were excluded. Of the remaining 22 records the method of cognitive testing performed in primary care is illustrated below. Aim The aim of this project was therefore to assess the practice attitudes towards cognitive assessment and answer the following: 1.Which tools are employed by the Doctors of Rubislaw Place Medical group in the assessment of cognitive decline. 2.The awareness of the variety of tools available and the attitudes to using these in the primary care setting. Methods 30 medical records were randomly selected from patients currently contained within the QOF dementia register. The case notes were examined and the tool used prior to referral for secondary care assessment was recorded. The Doctors within the practice were posed questions about their attitudes and awareness of available tools. 8 patients were not cognitively assessed prior to referral. In these patients the documented history was very suggestive of cognitive decline and no formalised cognitive testing was performed prior to referral. None of the doctors within the practice were had used any of the tools mentioned in the NICE guideline other than those recorded above. The most important factor in determining which tool used was the time taken to perform with 100% of doctors stated this as the determining factor. 50% of the doctors performed the cognitive test themselves during consultation with 50% requesting the patient to return to see the practice nurse or arranging District nurse home visit for this purpose. Conclusions Overall the most commonly used cognitive assessment tool was the MMSE. Less commonly used was the older tool of AMT and the more recently developed Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA). This likely reflects the local practice instilled by the Secondary Care Old Age Psychiatry department. The reasons for not performing cognitive testing within the primary care setting is likely influenced by a number of factors but by far the most influential was time taken to perform given the constraints of the primary care consultation. Given that many of the tools share elements and the aim of the assessment is for the most part case finding of patients whom would benefit from secondary care assessment it is concluded that the actual tool employed is less important that being able to correctly use and interpret the results. For the purposes of continuity of care, patient monitoring and correct diagnosis it seems important that local practice is standardised so that the tools adopted in secondary care are used where possible in the primary care setting. Learning Points Personally I feel the Dementia Scholarship has greatly improved my understanding of both the correct diagnosis of Dementia and the post diagnosis care and support of patient, families and carers. I feel better placed and suitably informed to cascade this knowledge to the doctors and nurses within my practice.