Presented by Charles Rigby and Mari Longworth
Tuesday, 15th May 2012
Synopsis: This talk will focus on the NHS service, Older Peoples Mental Health Liaison Team (OPMHLT) which has been operational for over one year and is based at the Royal Berkshire Hospital. The OPMHLT is provided for older people ( ie those aged 65 years or more) with mental health needs in physical care settings at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, Berkshire. Older people are referred into the service when experiencing some or one of the following: Psychological and emotional problems; Behavioural problems including: agitation and wandering; Feeling very sad or depressed a lot of the time; Feeling scared, worried or anxious a lot of the time; Thoughts of self-harm; Confusion; Memory problems; Thoughts that are distressing or unusual.
The OPMHLT aims to provide a multidisciplinary, specialist mental health service for assessment and evidence based treatments for older patients. Our role extends beyond patient contact into education of medical colleagues to promote the needs of patients with psychiatric symptoms presenting in general hospital settings. This service will work closely with the staff at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, GP surgeries, local authorities, community mental health services, care homes and voluntary services. The support offered by the service will depend on individual needs but will include aspects including: Consultation; Emotional and psychological; Support for service users and their relatives/carers; Medication; Memory assessment; Signposting to other appropriate services; Information and advice. As part of this evening's talk it may be useful to discuss some of the disorders predominantly depression, delirium and dementia that the team deal with.
Biography: Charles Rigby is a trained general and psychiatric nurse, of over 20 years' experience, who has worked in a wide range of settings. However, his forte has been working with older people. Charles has worked in a general hospital, then psychiatric unit, the community and now in general hospital RBH. His colleague Mari Longworth who is also dual trained ( psch/general) also has a broad knowledge and experience is hoping to assist with the presentation.
NHS Service pamphlet is available on line at: www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/opmhlt.pdf
Older People's Mental Health Liaison Team (OPMHLT)
Royal Berkshire Hospital
London Road
Reading, RG1 5AN
Tel: 0118 3228 320
Fax: 0118 3227 842
E-mail: opmhlt@berkshire.nhs.uk
Hours of service: 9am-5pm Monday to Friday (not including bank or public holidays)