Teams within the adult inpatient Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT)

Our multidisciplinary team is here to support you through your inpatient journey. We aim to provide safe and effective care and support you to return home as soon as possible. We hope you have a positive experience during your stay with us.

Meet our multidisciplinary team (MDT)

Medical team

Our medical team, led by consultant psychiatrists and supported by approved clinician and junior doctors, are here to support your mental health journey. We conduct thorough assessments, diagnose mental illnesses, and create personalised treatment plans.

We educate patients and families about mental health conditions and medications, ensuring you feel informed and empowered.

Additionally, we collaborate with physical health teams for concerns you may have about your body.

We’re also committed to your well-being, and we work closely with community team or professionals involved in your care to support a smooth transition back to the community during discharge.

Pharmacy

We’re the pharmacy team here at Foss Park Hospital, made up of clinical pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

Our job is to support your medication needs as part of the overall care team. This includes reviewing your medications, giving information to patients and carers about their medication, offering advice on prescriptions based on the latest guidelines and evidence, ensuring safe prescribing, and making sure you receive your medications on time.

The pharmacy team ensures that medications are available and get to the wards and patients as fast as they can. We also conduct audits to ensure prescribing meets high quality standards.

Nursing and health care support team

At our ward, our nursing and healthcare support team led by the respective Ward Manager is here for you 24/7, providing round-the-clock support, safety, and assistance. We prioritize your safety and security, creating a safe environment for your recovery.

If you’re on medication, we’ll administer it as prescribed, closely monitoring its effects. Engaging in therapeutic activities, offering emotional support, and providing educational resources are all part of our commitment to your wellbeing.

We collaborate closely with your community mental health team or any other relevant teams to personalise your care plan and support your journey to recovery.

Psychology

Our psychology team is here to support your mental wellbeing. We consist of a consultant clinical psychologist and two assistant psychologists. We work closely with other members of the clinical team.

We offer assessments to help develop a shared understanding of your mental health difficulties and how you came to be in hospital. We offer psychological wellbeing interventions for difficulties such as managing emotions, hearing voices and other unusual experiences, and coping with distressing thoughts.

We offer one to one sessions and group activities to help you with developing skills and tools that can help you during times of distress.

While we don’t provide long-term therapy on the ward, sometimes the work you do needs to continue when you are discharged from the ward; we will coordinate with community teams for continued care when required.

Occupational therapy

We’re here to support you in many areas like self-care, productivity, and leisure. We help with increasing your independence around daily activities, boosting your confidence, improving your cognitive and social skills, supporting your participation in hobbies and interests which are important to you, and offering you support in many other areas.

Our goal is to enhance your independence and well-being during your stay and to help you prepare for life beyond hospital. Whether it’s improving your day-to-day functioning or your overall quality of life, we can work with you on a one to one basis or in a group and we’re dedicated to helping you feel your best.

Peer support

We, as peer support workers, share our own mental health experiences to provide understanding and support not just to patients, but also to our colleagues.

Our role encompasses various aspects: providing personalized one-to-one support sessions where we listen and empathize, drawing from our own experiences; providing support groups to create safe environments for sharing and connection; and guiding our approach by values like authenticity, relationship, validation, respect, mutuality, and empowerment.

Activity co-ordinator

We’re here to make your stay enjoyable and engaging. On the ward, we offer various activities like gardening, art sessions, and fun games, along with opportunities to spend time with our PAT dogs.

We also organise outings to local places like cafés and gardens. If you prefer one-on-one activities, we have options for that too!

Our goal is to ensure you have a range of activities to choose from, whether in groups or individually, to support your well-being during your stay.

Additionally, we provide information about other groups led by different professionals, including psychology and occupational therapy, to cater to diverse needs.

Chaplaincy service

Our team is here to provide spiritual, pastoral, and religious care across all areas of the Trust. We offer emotional support, explore life’s questions, and help individuals navigate faith and mental health.

While we’re not a 24-hour service, we have an on-call chaplain available from 8am to 8pm. We are committed to holistic care, addressing your spiritual and emotional needs. The hospital has a multi faith room accessible to all people.

Healthy living advisor

Our role is all about helping you boost your mental and physical wellbeing. We provide both individual and group support, guiding you through activities like gym sessions, badminton, tennis, and walks.

We’ll cheer you on to get moving and share tips on the benefits of exercise, quitting smoking, and eating healthy. Plus, we’ll help you find local resources for staying healthy after discharge, so you can keep feeling your best even outside the hospital.

Hotel service and housekeeping

Our dedicated team ensures a comfortable and hygienic environment for your stay. We provide daily cleaning of bedrooms and en-suite facilities, as well as weekly deep cleaning.

Communal areas are cleaned daily and weekly to maintain a pristine space. Enjoy delicious meal services for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with hot and cold beverages and snacks throughout the day.

We cater for dietary requirements and allergies and monitor cleanliness and meal standards according to national guidelines. Your comfort and satisfaction are our top priorities.

Legislation team

We ensure your rights are protected and legal standards are upheld during your stay. Although we don’t directly interact with you, our services are crucial for safeguarding your interests.

From managing legal documents to overseeing Mental Health Act processes and facilitating appeals, we ensure you’re treated fairly.

Plus, we contribute to policy development and offer training to healthcare professionals, enhancing patient care indirectly.

Modern matron

The modern matron in our psychiatric ward ensures you receive high-quality care. They oversee the ward’s cleanliness, safety, and patient comfort.

They also support staff, address any concerns you may have, and ensure that care is compassionate and respectful. The modern matron is here to make your stay as positive and comfortable as possible.

Speech and language therapy

At Foss Park Hospital Adult Mental Health Unit, our Speech and Language Therapy team is here to support you in two main areas: swallowing and communication.

We assess and provide advice for eating, drinking, and swallowing problems (dysphagia), as well as help optimize communication skills if you have any communication difficulties or any concerns.

Social service (pathway to recovery team)

We’re here to support you on your journey to wellness and as you transition back into the community. Our team includes Social Workers, a Social Prescriber, a Carers Support Worker, York Mind Peer Support Workers, and a Benefits Advisor.

We are committed to providing person-centred care, which is tailored to your needs. We offer assessments for daily living support, assistance for carers, social prescribing to help you access activities and improve your wellbeing, welfare benefits guidance, peer support sessions, and help with housing conversations.

Together, we aim to empower you and create a more supportive community environment post discharge.

Advocacy Hub

York Advocacy Hub, part of York Mind is an independent statutory advocacy service. Our advocacy services are designed to empower you, help you understand your rights and ensure your voice is heard.

Whether you need assistance with understanding your rights under the Mental Health Act, Care Act and/or Mental Capacity Act, making decisions about medical treatment, raising concerns, compliments, or complaints about your care, attending meetings, or navigating social care assessments, we’re here for you.

Our trained professionals come from diverse backgrounds and are dedicated to amplifying your rights, preferences, and goals. To access our services, simply reach out to our team via phone or email or request that ward staff refer you. At York Advocacy Hub, your voice matters, and we’re committed to upholding your rights and empowering you every step of the way.

Dietetic team

Welcome to the Dietetic Team! We’re here to ensure you receive personalised nutritional support during your stay.

Whether you’re at risk of refeeding syndrome, need help managing your weight, or require nutrition support, our team is here for you.

We identify high-risk patients based on specific criteria and tailor our interventions to meet your individual needs.

With evidence-based approaches and collaboration with other healthcare professionals, we’re committed to optimizing your nutrition and well-being for a successful recovery.

Physiotherapy

As mental health physiotherapists, we aim to optimize physical health alongside mental well-being. Our support includes enhancing mobility, managing musculoskeletal issues, chronic pain, and weight loss.

We prescribe tailored exercise programs and assist in admission/discharge planning. With specialized focus on the physical-mental health interface, most of the support provided are short-term based and addresses immediate needs during your stay on the ward.

We strive to provide holistic support, promoting overall wellbeing.

Feedback

What do you think of this leaflet – is the information useful, is there anything missing or anything you didn’t understand? Please let your care team know.

Do you have concerns or complaints?

If you have concerns or complaints about a service, please tell a member of staff. You can also call our complaints teams on Freephone 0800 052 0219 or email [email protected]

Information in other languages and formats

We want to make sure you can read and understand the information we provide to you. If you would like this leaflet in another language, large print, audio, or Braille, please ask a member of staff.