Integrated Community Mental Health Teams provide support and treatment to adults (18+) with a broad range of mental health issues. The teams work with individuals, families, communities and other agencies to provide a service which assesses and addresses mental health needs, promotes good mental health, manages risk and provides support to families/carers. Community based appointments occur in a variety of settings such as NHS premises and client homes. The service is divided into three different elements: Assessment, Brief Intervention and Support and Recovery.
Key learning opportunities/skills development
Provides assessment and treatment of complex mental health problems and dementia in older adult population. Most of the work involves supporting people in their own homes, memory clinics, residential/nursing homes, working closely with the individuals, families/carers and other agencies such as Adult Social Care, GPs and District Nurses. The team works with people over the age of 65 with a complex physical health history and an established functional mental health issue. In addition the team provides support to people under the age of 65 who have been referred with a cognitive problem which requires assessment through the memory assessment service, and people over the age of 65 with a diagnosis of dementia who require support and treatment to maintain their quality of life either at home or in a care home setting.
Key learning opportunities/skills development
Liaison and Diversion Team – often situated within the centres of Justice or Police Hubs, providing assessment and liaison with criminal justice staff for all individuals suspected of an offence, through to disposal of that offence. Opportunity to gain experience of the criminal justice system by working with individuals suspected of an offence, seen either in the community or detained in custody, through to attendance at court.
Key learning opportunities/skills development
The short break unit provides care and support to children and young adults with high health needs and a learning disability, e.g. severe epilepsy, communication and mobility problems. The team works closely with families and carers of the children who attend the unit, encouraging them to develop skills and experiences in a positive, caring environment.
Key learning opportunities/skills development
Provide support and treatment to children and young people (under 18) who experience emotional, behavioural, neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, depression, anger, mood swings, low self-esteem, violence, self-harm, hyperactivity, over sexualisation, relationship problems and difficulties associated with attachment and loss. Three key concepts underpin the work: Child development, systemic theory and attachment theory.
Key learning opportunities/skills development
Specialist service providing support and treatment for 14-35 year olds who may be experiencing a first episode of psychosis. The team aims to support the individual and their families/carers, reducing the impact of illness on individuals and the wider community. Using a whole life approach to support the individual in reaching their potential, maintain their family and social networks and achieve positive life goals. The service also has a strong emphasis on using a psychologically informed approach to support individuals and prevent relapse.
Key learning opportunities/skills development
Acute inpatient units provide assessment and treatment for adults (18+) who are experiencing an acute phase within a broad range of mental health issues. All aspects of the person’s health and social care needs are assessed and treated within a caring, supportive, structured and therapeutic environment. People are treated with value and respect, encouraging independence and support for the individual to function at their optimal level.
At times acute wards can appear noisy and hectic with acutely unwell patients; there may be occasions when students witness incidents of both verbal and physical aggression and self-harm.
Key learning opportunities/skills development
PICU provides expert assessment and intensive treatment for adults (18+) detained under the Mental Health Act in the most acute phase of their mental illness, where their capacity for self-control and associated risks cannot be therapeutically managed on an acute psychiatric ward. PICU aims to support people to achieve their full potential by working collaboratively in a safe and friendly environment with local services and external agencies.
At times, PICUs can appear noisy and hectic with acutely unwell patients; there may be occasions when students witness incidents of both verbal and physical aggression and self-harm.
Key learning opportunities/skills development
This service provides psychiatric cover to acute hospitals, including urgent mental health assessments and support for people admitted to the Emergency Department and general hospital wards with self-harm, mental health and substance misuse problems. Main part of the role consists of clinical risk assessments, risk management and consultation advice to patients, staff and relatives. The planning of care may include referral for further acute and community mental health care.
Key learning opportunities/skills development
Home Treatment Team (HTT) works with adults (18+) who are experiencing an acute mental health crisis, such that, without intensive support are at risk of requiring an acute inpatient admission. The team provides a rapid assessment of mental health needs and aims to work in partnership with individuals, families and carers to provide care and treatment which promotes recovery and effectively manages risk. Where admission is required the team works closely with the inpatient units to enable the person to be discharged as soon as possible and return home with the appropriate support. HTT provides a 24hr/7 day per week service and encounter the widest possible range of circumstances and mental health experiences.
Key learning opportunities/skills development
Based within the acute Trusts often in Emergency Departments the team provides expert assessment and treatment to support the general care team to meet the needs of people with complex mental health needs in an acute general hospital. The service is for people with suspected or known diagnosis of dementia and people with a functional mental illness in association with the complexity of physical ill health and the physiology of ageing. The team also assists with complex discharges with the aim of reducing stays in hospital which are longer than medically necessary, and the reduction of early entry into long term care.
Key learning opportunities/skills development
The low secure unit provides support and treatment for males aged 18+ who are detained under the Mental Health Act who have associated public protection issues. Some of the service users are detained under forensic sections and are either ascending or descending the secure pathway. The unit aims to provide specialist rehabilitation underpinned by a philosophy of recovery and whole life principles, including addressing issues related to persistent and/or serious offending behaviour.
At times the unit can appear loud and disturbed, there may be occasions when students witness incidents of both verbal and physical aggression and self-harm.
Key learning opportunities/skills development
This unit provides rehabilitation for adults (18+) experiencing a broad range of mental health issues. It also provides outreach support to community and hospital based service users who have a need for social inclusion or rehabilitation. Core service users are people with severe and enduring mental health problems who need support in recovery after the acute phase of their mental health issue has passed.
At times, the unit can appear noisy, hectic with acutely unwell patients; there may be occasions when students witness incidents of both verbal and physical aggression and self-harm.
Key learning opportunities/skills development
Specialist ward providing support and treatment for people with organic brain conditions and complex physical health conditions. All aspects of the person’s health and social care needs are assessed and treated within a caring, supportive, structured and therapeutic environment. People are treated with value and respect, encouraging independence, supporting an individual to function at their optimal level and preventing further decline.
At times, the unit can appear noisy and hectic with acutely unwell patients; there may be occasions when students witness incidents of both verbal and physical aggression and self-harm.
Key learning opportunities/skills development
Opportunity to understand evidence based practice and how research fits into this. The team works across the county recruiting patients to NIHR funded research projects sponsored by universities and commercial companies. As part of the South West Peninsular Clinical Research Network we are working in studies in dementia, mental health and learning disabilities, both inpatient and community. We also work closely with our colleagues in Acute Trusts and other Trusts across the South West Peninsula.
Key learning opportunities/skills development
Opportunity to learn about working with people with complex emotional needs and personality disorder. The team offers community based assessment, formulation and treatment pathways for individuals referred to the service. There are also opportunities to observe specialist therapy and learn from consultation clinics and team teaching.
Key learning opportunities/skills development
