Psychiatry service in the UK

Question 1

What is the role of a social worker?

Answer 1

As well as being able to give emotional support and practical help with accessing money, housing and other entitlements, some may provide psychological treatments

Question 2

What is the role of an approved mental health professionals (AMHPs)?

Answer 2

They can be any member of the mental health team. They will usually be a social worker although they can be other allied health professionals etc. They have had further training in assessing if someone needs to be admitted to the hospital using the Mental Health Act. In the past, they are called Approved Social Worker (ASW).

Question 3

What is the role of a community psychiatric nurse (CPN)?

Answer 3

Registered mental health nurses who work outside hospitals and visit patients in their own homes, outpatient departments or GP surgeries

Question 4

What is the role of an occupational therapist (OT)?

Answer 4

Help patients get back to doing practical everyday things - to assess what the patient can or can’t do; give advice on appropriate accommodation; find meaningful activities; rebuild confidence; promote independence

Question 5

What is the role of a clinical psychologist?

Answer 5

Have a degree in psychology and undertake a further 3 years training in order to work with clients, give psychological therapies and help other members of the team work psychologically

Question 6

What is the role of the healthcare assistant?

Answer 6

Sometimes known as nursing assistants, they will work usually under the supervision of nurses, but also doctors and other healthcare workers. Closely related to Clinical Support Workers (CSWs)

Question 7

What is an independent mental capacity advocate (IMCA)?

Answer 7

Someone with specialist training who helps someone lacking capacity make decisions around serious medical treatment or a change of accommodation. A legal right for people over 16 who lack mental capacity and do not have an appropriate family member or friend to represent their views

Question 8

What is an independent mental health advocate (IMHA)?

Answer 8

Someone specially trained to support people to understand their rights under the Mental Health Act and to help them participate in their care and treatment. A legal right for anyone detained under Sections 2 or 3 of the Mental Health Act, as well as some other parts of the Act

Question 9

What is a care coordinator/keyworker?

Answer 9

A member of the team (usually a Nurse, OT or social worker) who will fully assess the patient’s needs, write a care plan which shows how the NHS and other organisations will meet those needs and regularly review the plan to check on progress

Question 10

What is a care programme approach (CPA)?

Answer 10

A way of writing a care plan for patients who are under secondary mental health services

Question 11

Who gets a CPA?

Answer 11

1. Severe Mental Illness
2. Significant problems in looking after themselves - significant risk of harm to self or others, not wanting help or being particularly vulnerable
3. Significant Intellectual Disability
4. Those receiving services from a number of agencies - housing, physical care, criminal justice or voluntary agencies
5. Recent detention under the Mental Health Act

Question 12

What does a patient get with a CPA?

Answer 12

A care coordinator will look at:

1. Medication
2. Therapy
3. Help with money problems, advice and support, employment and training
4. Help with housing difficulties
5. Any voluntary sector support that might be useful
6. Physical health, especially with respect to side effects from psychiatric medications
7. Risk to the patient or others
8. Problems with drugs or alcohol

Question 13

What are community mental health teams (CMHT)?

Answer 13

Multidisciplinary, multi-agency teams offering specialist assessment, treatment and care to adults with mental health problems, both in their own homes and in the community.

Question 14

What are crisis resolution and home treatment teams (CRHT)?

Answer 14

Teams of mental health professionals who treat people with mental illness when they are very unwell or in mental health crisis or have tried to take their own life, for example.
CRHT aims to avoid admission to a psychiatric ward by offering people intensive, community-based support at home. They can offer a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week service.

Question 15

What is the early intervention for psychosis team?

Answer 15

Specialist teams of mental health professionals work with people who are experiencing symptoms of psychosis for the first time

Question 16

What is the assertive outreach team?

Answer 16

The assertive outreach team aims to help people who have a history of serious mental health problems, poor engagement with mental health services and increased risks. The AO teams provide more intensive contact with patients aimed to enhance engagement.

Assertive outreach teams will visit people at home, at flexible times, or at a location of an individual’s choice, and encourage them to accept support and treatment from mental health services again.

Question 17

What is the liason psychiatry team?

Answer 17

Deals with medical and surgical in-patients with psychiatric presentations in general hospital. They receive referrals from emergency department/ acute assessment units/medical/surgical ward and their role is to provide advice and consultation to relevant medical/surgical teams in general hospital.