CMHT & CMHTOA

Introduction to the CMHT

The CMHT help support and treat people with severe and complex mental health difficulties, referring them onto other services where appropriate.

The treatments on offer include:

  • Psychological interventions, such as cognitive behaviour therapy, dialectical behavioural therapy and cognitive analytical therapy;
  • A range of pharmaceutical interventions, such as anti-psychotic and anti-depressant medication;
  • Social interventions, such as addressing leisure, employment, housing and finance issues;
  • Referrals through to other services where appropriate.

Treatments are provided by an expert team of psychiatrists, nurses, occupational therapists, psychologists, psychotherapists and social workers.

As part of the person's treatment, a care coordinator will help them draw up a care plan to assess the challenges they're facing and agree goals they'd like to achieve.

The team can also work with family and carers and support them through education therapy to learn about the person's condition.


Introduction to the CMHTOA

The Community Mental Health Team for Older Adults, is a multidisciplinary Team who following receipt of a referral from a person's GP offers mental health assessments, diagnosis, and on-going care to help with mental health conditions including:

  • Dementia (the team work with younger and older adults with dementia);
  • Depression;
  • Psychosis;
  • Severe anxiety.

The multidisciplinary team is made up of Consultant Psychiatrists, Clinical Psychologist, Community Psychiatric Nurses (CPN), Home Treatment Team (HTT), Occupational Therapists (OT), Speech & Language Therapists (SLT), Memory Clinic Nurses, Dementia Advisors and Social Care Practitioners.

The service works to help people stay independent and, where possible, avoid having to go into hospital for treatment.


Remit of these procedures

The procedures in this section are relevant to Bracknell Forest Council practitioners on the CMHT and the CMHTOA. Employees of the Foundation Trust should refer to available procedures provided by the Trust.

The primary purpose of the procedures is to support practitioners to effectively undertake their responsibilities under the Care Act 2014 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

The procedures should be used alongside all of the following:


Carers

The procedures in this section are specific to adults who have (or may have) needs for care and support. Practitioners working with carers should refer to the dedicated procedures: Carers.


Transition

Practitioners on the CMHT working with younger adults going through transition should also refer to the dedicated procedures: Transition to Adult Care and Support.