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Providing a primary care service for psychiatric in-patients

Specialist Registrar in Psychiatry, South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust, Springfield Hospital, 61 Glenburnie Road, London SW17 7DJ

Sarah Talbot

General Practitioner, The Surgery, 82 Lillie Road, Fulham, London SW6 1TN

Oliver Harrison

Senior House Officer in Psychiatry, Charing Cross Hospital, Fulham Palace Road, London W6 8AF

^*Michael Phelan

Consultant Psychiatrist, West London Mental Health Trust, Gloucester House, 194 Hammersmith Road, London W6 8BS

Declaration of interest

None.

AIMS AND METHOD

A prospective descriptive study was set up to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and activity of an innovative weekly primary care service for patients admitted for acute psychiatric care.

RESULTS

During 10 months, 36 clinics were held and 123 appointments were attended. Presenting complaints included a wide range of acute and chronic conditions, affecting all body systems. As well as treating specific complaints, the doctor providing this service undertook considerable health promotion work and gave advice about patient management to junior psychiatrists.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

It appears that there is considerable need for primary care expertise within an acute psychiatric unit, and that a weekly clinic is a feasible model of care.

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