💡 Understanding the Team
Acute mental health hospitals rely on a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) to provide integrated care. Each professional plays a crucial role in assessment, treatment, risk management, and recovery support for individuals with complex mental health and substance use needs.
🔵 Core Clinical Team
- Psychiatrists – Lead clinicians responsible for diagnosis, medication management, and risk assessment.
- Psychologists – Provide psychological therapies such as CBT, DBT, trauma-informed interventions, and neuropsychological assessments.
- Mental Health Nurses (RMNs) – Deliver medication administration, physical and mental health monitoring, crisis de-escalation, and therapeutic interventions.
- Healthcare Assistants (HCAs) – Support daily activities, observe behaviours, build rapport, and provide emotional support.
- Occupational Therapists (OTs) – Focus on functional skills, meaningful activities, and structured routines to support recovery.
- Social Workers – Address safeguarding, housing, benefits, and legal matters related to service users’ care plans.
- Substance Use Specialists – Provide harm reduction strategies, relapse prevention planning, and support for dual diagnosis cases.
🟡 Risk & Safeguarding Team
- Approved Mental Health Professionals (AMHPs) – Lead Mental Health Act assessments and support sectioning decisions.
- Safeguarding Leads – Investigate concerns related to abuse, exploitation, or neglect, ensuring compliance with safeguarding policies.
- Crisis Team (Home Treatment Team/HTT) – Works with service users in acute crisis to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions.
🟣 Recovery & Discharge Team
- Community Psychiatric Nurses (CPNs) – Coordinate post-discharge support and monitor mental health stability in the community.
- Care Coordinators (from CMHTs) – Oversee long-term care plans, liaise between hospital and community teams.
- Peer Support Workers – Individuals with lived experience who provide mentorship, advocacy, and encouragement in recovery.
- Housing & Welfare Officers – Support with accommodation, benefits, and financial stability for service users post-discharge.
🟢 Additional Support Services
- Pharmacists – Ensure safe prescribing, medication reviews, and medication education.
- Speech & Language Therapists (SALT) – Assist service users with communication or swallowing difficulties.
- Advocates (IMHAs) – Independent Mental Health Advocates support service users in understanding and exercising their rights.
- Chaplaincy & Pastoral Care – Provide spiritual and emotional support tailored to individual beliefs and values.
🚀 Key Takeaway: Understanding the roles and responsibilities of each professional ensures effective collaboration, seamless care planning, and better outcomes for service users in acute mental health settings.