Mental health roles in GP surgeries

The trust worked closely with PCNs to introduce mental health practitioners into GP surgeries. These practitioners help to reduce caseloads for GPs by providing timely support and advice.

In an article from TEWV, Faye Nesbitt, team manager, said: 

“We know that a large proportion of cases seen in GP surgeries can involve mental health needs. This can take up a considerable amount of GP time.

“The practitioners can see people with a severe mental illness or complex emotional needs who are too complex for talking therapies but do not meet the thresholds for secondary care services.

“They can also reduce the need for referrals to secondary mental health services. This is by offering early interventions and working with other services and community-based organisations to address people’s wider needs and to provide alternative support.”

Feedback from both GPs and patients has been positive. One patient shared that their “problem was almost resolved immediately in a simple but highly practical and helpful 20-minute telephone consultation”. Another said: “I was listened to and the medication is working well, still early days but I feel so much better.”