The following information is for individuals who will be accessing forensic mental health services from the Trust. This information is a helpful guide. Upon admission to our forensic settings all patients are encouraged to speak to staff about any further queries which they may have. Staff will be happy to support and answer any questions.
During your stay you will be assigned a clinical team to assist in meeting your care needs.
There is a regular meeting called a Multi-Disciplinary Meeting (MDM). The people who attend this meeting may include nursing and medical staff, occupational therapists, social workers and psychologists where appropriate.
You can request to meet with any team member or the entire team at the MDM to discuss your care with. The Social Worker from the ward may ask to complete a visit to your relatives home with your consent. This is so we can establish any relevant background information.
All staff are unable to accept gifts or gratuities.
Patients have the right to choose how much information is shared with their carer, family member or significant person in their life. For example, you might decide they can come to your Care Programme Approach review meetings, or to just be part of these meetings.
The Care Programme Approach (CPA) is a way that services are assessed, planned, co-ordinated and reviewed for someone with mental health problems or a range of related complex needs. A CPA meeting will take place three months after admission and then six monthly. Family, friends and carers can be invited if you (the service user) agree.
Allied Health Professions (AHPs) are a diverse group of practitioners who deliver high quality care to patients by carrying out assessment, diagnosis, treatment and discharge, across a range of settings in the NHS. Their aim is to further improve services provided by AHPs to achieve better outcomes for patients after illness and injury. They are well-placed to innovate and develop new models of care and are key to our integration of health and social care.
AHPs are the third largest group of practitioners who, in the main, are first contact practitioners. In the NHS alone they account for 1 in 10 staff. MPFT employs over 1,000 AHPs across its whole portfolio of services, making up around one-eighth of the workforce. AHPs work within the Forensic mental health service and are an important part of the clinical team.
Dietitians assess, diagnose and treat diet and nutrition problems at an individual and wider public health level. Uniquely, dietitians use the most up to date Public Health and scientific research on food, health and disease, which they translate into practical guidance to enable people to make appropriate lifestyle and food choices.
Professional body:
"Occupational therapy provides practical support to empower people to facilitate recovery and overcome barriers preventing them from doing the activities (or occupations) that matter to them. This support increases people's independence and satisfaction in all aspects of life." - Royal College of Occupational Therapy, 2019
You will find Occupational Therapists at MPFT. They work in a range of mental health, physical health and social services including Forensic services, applying their specialist knowledge and expertise.
The following information leaflets will help you to find out more about occupational therapy and how it can help you reach your goals:
Occupational Therapy at Hatherton Centre
A service user guide to occupational therapy in forensic settings - Youtube
If you have communication difficulties, speech therapists can help you build on your communication skills.
How do you know if you have a communication difficulty?
People with communication difficulties can find it hard to:
Speech therapists play an important role in helping your care team understand how to communicate with you and support you to understand your care pathway and therapy program provided.
