Community Mental Health Team: Community Mental Health Nursing Service

The Community Mental Health Nursing Service organises and coordinates the care of patients receiving community-based mental health care (i.e. care outside of hospital).

The Community Mental Health Nursing Service aims to provide:

• nursing care for a person who is acutely ill
• support for a person with a long-term illness helping them to live a full life in their own community
• administration and monitoring, where required, of essential prescribed medication
• advice and support to patients and their families in all aspects of their care
• care and advice for the elderly confused patient and their families
• support for those with psychological problems

In addition, staff may be able to offer help to families who have developed problems as a result of a family member’s illness.

The Community Mental Health Nursing Service will prioritise access to the service for armed forces veterans, in line with national policy.

Multi disciplinary working:
Staff are attached to all GP practices and liaise regularly with members of the primary care team, social workers and district nurses, where appropriate. Patients who have complex needs may receive care and support that is provided from within a structured and coordinated framework called the Care Programme Approach.

Emergencies:
The Community Mental Health Nursing Service operates a 365 day/24-hour service which can be accessed via NHS 24 between the hours of 5pm and 9am by dialling freephone 111.  The police and social work services can also direct emergency referrals requiring assessment directly to the service.

Referral

The normal route of referral is from the patient's GP or Psychiatrist to the Community Mental Health Nursing Service and they will normally be offered an appointment at their home or at their GP Surgery.

Referrals for assessment can also be made by the A&E department, social work and the Police.

Further information

Lewis and Harris Team
Debbie MacRae
Community Mental Health Nurse Manager
Stornoway Health Centre
Tel. 01851 703069

Uists and Barra Team
Norrie MacRitchie
Community Mental Health Nurse Manager
Balivanich, Isle of Benbecula
Tel. 01870 602918 (Uists).
Tel. 01871 810895 (Barra)