Mental Health First Contact Practitioners to be placed at two GPs

Manx Care announces twelve-month pilot at Peel and Port Erin practices

Two GP practices on the Island will pilot a new 'Mental Health First Contact Practitioner' service over the next year.

Manx Care, in partnership with the Primary Care Network, is introducing the practitioners at Peel Medical Practice and Southern Group Practice.

The aim is access for patients experiencing mental health problems.

Manx Care says the practitioners will be able to offer specialist mental health advice and provide expert clinical care, ensuring people don't 'fall between gaps in services'. 

They will be able to carry out triage and assessments, enabling access to a range of appropriate mental health support across the community system.

Manx Care says: "The practitioners will also ensure that, once assessed, each person receives the best possible care in the right place and at the right time, by the right supporting service. This may include the provision of brief, short-term psychological interventions as appropriate."

Clinical Lead for the IOM Primary Care Network, Dr Oliver Ellis, says: "The patient feedback we’ve received for this pilot has been very encouraging. This new service will help patients struggling with mental health problems get seen quicker at their GP surgery."

Ross Bailey, General Manager for Mental Health Services, says: "We’re so pleased to be able to offer this service to those in our community who require support. If you are a patient at Peel or Southern Group practice and have an emotional wellbeing or mental health concern, please make an appointment to discuss this with your Mental Health First Contact Practitioner."

Manx Care says once the pilot has been fully assessed, consideration will be given to rolling this initiative out further across the Island.