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 a brief (20-25 minute) initial appointment to understand mental health concerns you are experiencing. We will then work with you to develop a treatment plan based on your needs.

A treatment plan may include:

• Provide you with some self-help resources.
• Signpost/refer you onto services in your area that can offer help, support and/or offer therapeutic interventions to meet your needs.

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.

We do not work with people who are currently actively involved within another mental health service. If you are working with another organisation regarding your mental health, we advise that you contact this service or speak with your worker/ therapist.

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.

If you are experiencing something that makes you feel unsafe, distressed, or worried about your mental health, you can contact your local crisis service by calling NHS 111 and selecting the mental health option.

If you’re deaf or have hearing loss, please use the following link to be connected to local crisis service – NHS 111 – SignVideo

In emergency situations where there is an immediate risk to life, you should continue to contact 999 or go to A&E.

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]

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
[email protected]
– complete a Your Voice 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.

PALS
Tel: 0800 032 0202
Email: [email protected]
Post: FREEPOST PALS

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/897/0424 April 2024 V2

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

Review date 2026