Devon Partnership NHS Trust Older People s Community Mental Health Team Information for people using our service East Devon Supporting you to live well www.dpt.nhs.uk
Who we are Our service is part of Devon Partnership NHS Trust, the organisation that provides mental health services across the county. Our service works with people and their families and carers, in the East Devon area, who have mental health needs that cannot be fully met by their GP or other support services. About our service The help and support that we provide is tailored to individual circumstances and the seriousness of the referred person s mental health needs. People generally remain in touch with our service for a limited period of time, and this is usually until immediate needs have been met, and the referred person is feeling more stable and able to cope. Our services include: The assessment and treatment of depression and anxiety The assessment, diagnosis and treatment of dementia Coping strategies to help with memory problems The treatment of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia Advice about specialist mental health medicines The assessment and treatment of psychosis Access to psychological talking therapies Support, information and education for family and carers Liaison with and signposting to other health and social care providers - 2 -
Ongoing support for people with severe and enduring needs Our staff have a wide variety of skills and experience and come from a number of different professional disciplines. They include: Mental Health Practitioners. Our Mental Health Practitioners are made up of various disciplines and who possess a professional qualification such as Mental Health Nurses (including Nurse Prescribers), Occupational Therapists and Social Workers. They will work with you to help meet your needs and work towards recovery and achieving your own goals. They will see you at home, or in an outpatient clinic at one of our Team bases. Care Support Workers are members of staff who work in supportive roles to our Mental Health Practitioners, giving practical assistance in the implementation of individual care plans and goals. Psychiatrists are Medical Doctors who specialise in the assessment and treatment of mental illness. They understand both physical and mental health problems. They may prescribe talking therapies or medication and will speak to your family doctor about you. They will generally either see you at home or in an outpatient clinic. Clinical and Counselling Psychologists are trained to listen and help with mental health problems, such as stress, anxiety, depression, memory difficulties, coping with illness, disability or pain. Psychologists often work with people to try to identify any vicious circles/cycles that they might not be aware of that could be keeping them stuck in their lives. They work with families, couples, individuals and carers who look after people who are unwell, disabled, confused or displaying challenging behaviour. Clinical and Counselling Psychologists often use tests to help clarify people s needs and offer a range of evidence-based therapies to help meet those needs. - 3 -
Our commitment to you We want all the people who use our service to feel that care is delivered with compassion, equality and respect. You have the right to be involved in all aspects of your care and you are encouraged to question anything you do not understand or agree with. How can you access our service? Most of the people we work with are referred to our service by their GP, because they think we will be able to provide help and support to improve your mental health and emotional wellbeing. Where will you be seen? Appointments will either happen at a local outpatient clinic or in your own home. - 4 -
What will happen? During your first appointment we will find out about you, discuss your situation and make an assessment of your mental health needs. This assessment is an important part of understanding the support that you might need from our service and possibly others. All plans of care will be completed collaboratively with you to ensure that we are meeting your individual needs. You can choose to include your family, friends or a carer in this process. You will also be allocated a Named Worker, who will act as a key point of contact. Your Named Worker is: Named Worker: Team base: Telephone number: - 5 -
Useful contacts Care Direct - Social Care Helpline (8am till 8pm) t: 0345 155 1007 Devon Carers (information and support) t: 03456 434 435 The Samaritans t: 116123 free call from landlines and mobile phones Devon Advocacy Consortium t: 0300 343 5707 NHS 111 t: 111 (when it s less urgent than 999) Alzheimer s Society t: 0300 123 2029 Age UK t: 0800 055 6112 Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline t: 0800 888 6678 e: helpline@dementiauk.org.uk Admiral Nurses can give help and guidance to those living with or caring for someone with dementia Dementia Road Map Web based Information with local resources w: http://dementiaroadmap.info Devon Memory Café Consortium w: www.dmcc.org.uk Devon Partnership NHS Trust w: www.dpt.nhs.uk/resources w: www.dpt.nhs.uk/olderpeople - 6 -
Confidentiality Whatever you discuss with us is treated confidentially. We are required to send a written report to your family doctor, and you can obtain a copy. Where appropriate, we will also talk to you about sharing information about you with other services and with your carer, family member, or friends. Sharing information helps us to provide the very best service for you and we will always discuss it with you. Some information will be recorded on a computer. All personal and sensitive information is kept safe and secure at all times and is shared on a strictly need to know basis. Compliments, concerns and complaints We want to hear about your experiences, whether good or bad. Your views are important to us. They help us to know what we are doing well and to identify the areas where we need to improve or develop the services we provide. Many complaints can be resolved quickly and informally by contacting the Team Leader. Please ring either of the numbers at the back of this leaflet to make contact. You can also speak to any member of the team, complete a Comment Card refer to our Tell us what you think leaflet (which is also available in an easy read format) or share your views by contacting our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS). Details can be found on the back of this leaflet. Reference: 544/01/18-7 -
Our team contact details are: Haydon s Court Marlpits Lane Honiton EX14 2DE t: 01404 541640 St Johns Court St Johns Road Exmouth EX8 4DD t: 01395 220100 Your feedback If you would like to know more about us, need information in a different language or format or have a concern, compliment or complaint, then please contact our PALS Team: PALS Team Devon Partnership NHS Trust Wonford House, Dryden Road Exeter EX2 5AF Freephone: 0800 0730741 Email: dpn-tr.pals@nhs.net You will also find useful information about our services and issues related to mental health and wellbeing on our website. www.dpt.nhs.uk