Feature: Mind and Body

Date: 04 July 2022

Neuropsychiatry team 2022

Over the last three years, the Neuropsychiatric Team has grown into a comprehensive service for both inpatients and outpatients seven days a week here at The Walton Centre. The service uses a unique model, which combines neurological and psychiatric elements to provide a holistic approach to supporting patients with sometimes life-changing injuries and conditions. The team estimates that 20-50% of Walton patients have neuropsychiatric comorbidities, making this service indispensable when providing all-round care. The service includes a high level of liaising with inpatients, outpatient clinics and ongoing support for long term care, making the model at The Walton Centre unique: assessment, treatment and monitoring.

Lead Advanced Nurse Practitioner Jon Smith said: “We have built a strong and supportive team here in Neuropsychiatry, it feels like a little family! It’s helpful to have each other to rely on and ask for advice and support to make sure we get it right for each one of our patients.

“Given the busy, faced paced nature of the service, we need to adapt to changes quickly. We have clinics, ward rounds, Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings, patient assessments and reviews, often happening at the same time. This requires us to communicate well, be flexible and willing to share knowledge and experience with colleagues. Our team are often able to follow a patient journey from critical care, during inpatient treatment and rehabilitation then, if required, as an outpatient. This gives patients continuity and helps ensure we develop a therapeutic relationship which provides consistency of care, and supports both patients and their loved ones.”

The team works around the clock to support patients across multiple disciplines. Last year the service saw 2,000 patients, providing ongoing neuropsychiatric treatment and support.

Neuropsychiatry Specialist Nurse Lindsay Cleary said: “We cover neurosurgical, neurology and rehabilitation wards. Patients often have neurological diagnosis, traumatic injuries, spinal injuries, complex pain and rehabilitation needs. We provide assessment, treatment and monitoring of patients who experience psychiatric symptoms, secondary to their neurological illness or injury.

“Patients who experience long term conditions, life-changing injuries and impairments are often at increased risk of experiencing symptoms of mental ill health. In Neuropsychiatry we offer a responsive and dedicated service to contribute to patient's holistic needs. We provide specialist risk assessment and essential risk management plans.” 

The team plans to increase the support for patients and also are currently supporting the enhancement of staff health and wellbeing services within the Trust.

For more information on the neuropsychiatric service, click here

You can find more stories like this in the latest edition of Neuromatters.

 

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Notes to editors

Further information, or to arrange an interview, please contact the Communications Team at The Walton Centre on 0151 556 3397 or wcft.communications@nhs.net

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust is the only hospital trust in the UK specialising in neurology, neurosurgery and pain services. Although the majority of patients come from Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales, Lancashire and the Isle of Man, for some specialist treatments of complex disorders we see patients from all parts of the country, referred by their GPs or other neurologists, neurosurgeons and pain clinicians.

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust was rated as ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission. The independent regulator of all health and social care services in England published its rating on Friday 21 October 2016, following announced and unannounced inspection visits to the Trust in April 2016.

For more information please visit: www.thewaltoncentre.nhs.uk or follow the Trust on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Lower Lane, Fazakerley, Liverpool L9 7LJ
0151 525 3611

  • Summary:

    Over the last three years, the Neuropsychiatric Team has grown into a comprehensive service for both inpatients and outpatients seven days a week here at The Walton Centre.