Primary Care Mental Health Practitioner – Patient Information Leaflet (North Shields and Wallsend)

Primary mental health practitioners are qualified healthcare professionals who are practitioners in mental health.  They work into a doctors (GP’s) surgeries.

They can help with common mental health difficulties such as anxiety, stress and low mood.

You will be offered an initial appointment to gain a wider understanding of any mental health concerns you are experiencing.  They will then work with you to develop a treatment plan based on your needs.

A treatment plan may include:

• appointments in the surgery to provide self-help resources
• up to two appointments to offer brief therapeutic intervention to support your current mental health difficulties
• referring you on to services that can offer help and support

They can speak with your GP if you require a ‘Fit note’ (previously known as sick notes) or a prescription for medication.

The service is for adults over the age of 18.

All of our North Shields and Wallsend GP surgeries have one or more primary care mental health practitioners working in each practice.  You simply need to phone the surgery or ask at reception to book an appointment.

The Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team (CRHT) provide assessment and support for people experiencing acute mental health distress and their carers. The team is made up of different mental health professionals, and is available for adults of all ages and young people, who are needing to speak to someone urgently about their mental health. Call on free phone 0800 652 2865

There is a text number for people who are Deaf and/or have communication difficulties: 07795 656 226

If you would like an interpreter, staff will be able to help you to get one.

Contact: Traveline Tel: 0871 200 22 33

Website: www.traveline.info/

If you want to make a comment, suggestion, compliment or complaint you can:

• talk to the people directly involved in your care
• ask a member of staff for a feedback form, or complete a form on the Trust website www.cntw.nhs.uk/contact/complaints/
• telephone the Complaints Department Tel: 0191 245 6672
• email [email protected] Please note that information sent to the Trust via email is sent at your own risk

We are always looking at ways to improve services. Your feedback allows us to monitor the quality of our services and act upon issues that you bring to our attention.

You can provide feedback in the following ways:

– the quickest way for you to do this is to complete our short online survey at www.cntw.nhs.uk/poy

– complete a Points of You survey, available on wards, reception areas or from staff

– other options for sharing your feedback and experience www.cntw.nhs.uk/yourfeedback

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)

PALS provide confidential advice and support, helping you to sort out any concerns that you may have about any aspect of your or your loved ones care.

We act independently when handling patient and family concerns, liaising with staff, managers and, where appropriate, relevant organisations, to negotiate prompt solutions. If necessary, we can also refer patients and families to specific local or national-based support agencies.

North of Tyne

Tel: 0800 032 0202

Email: [email protected]

Post: FREEPOST PALS

South of Tyne

Tel: 0800 328 4397

Text: 07825 061 035

Email: [email protected]

Post: Patient Advice and Liaison Service, Garden Lodge, Hopewood Park, Ryhope, Sunderland, SR2 0NB

9.00 am – 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday

An answerphone is available at all times for you to leave a message. A member of the PALS team will aim to return your call as soon as possible.

Further information about the content, reference sources or production of this leaflet can be obtained from the Patient Information Centre. If you would like to tell us what you think about this leaflet please get in touch.

This information can be made available in a range of formats on request (eg Braille, audio, larger print, easy read, BSL or other languages). Please contact the Patient Information Centre Tel: 0191 246 7288

Published by the Patient Information Centre
2023 Copyright, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust

Ref, PIC/897/1023 October 2023 V1

www.cntw.nhs.uk Tel: 0191 246 7288

Review date 2026