St Patrick’s Mental Health Services (SPMHS) has introduced a homecare inpatient service, consisting of the highest levels of one-to-one support provided remotely. We ensure service users receive necessary care and treatment, through daily or more frequent contact, along with psychopharmacological input arranged in liaison with local pharmacies. This package will include the following elements:
- Assignment to a multidisciplinary team (MDT).
- At least daily contact from a member of the MDT by video call, where available, or, where not, by phone.
- Participation in an MDT meeting by video link or by phone at least once a week.
- Medication and prescribing review with the same frequency as regular inpatients. Measure to ensure service users receive their new medication will be enacted.
- Appropriate individual therapy sessions with members of the MDT delivered by video call.
- Appropriate ongoing psychotherapeutic interventions delivered remotely.
- 24 hours per day, seven days per week support.
Due to the spread of COVID-19, all adult and adolescent referrals to SPMHS for admission will be offered homecare admissions, with minimal exceptions. This will be discussed in detail with service users, and they will be informed of their options in advance. The mental health risk of the service user will always remain a priority, with considerations including clinical risk or the need for treatment which can only be delivered onsite, such as electroconvulsive therapy, being taken into account. Approvals for home care packages will therefore be taken on an individual basis, with all new referrals for inpatient services being reviewed by a consultant psychiatrist and a team of clinical directors to ensure best practice.
Continue to…
Remote outpatient and day programme appointments