Specialty Doctor Inpatient Adult Mental Health Tower Hamlets

This post has become available as the previous doctor, who had been in the role for four years after completing core training, has now progressed to higher specialty training and will be leaving the post from 5th February 2025.

The post is within well-developed multidisciplinary teams working in the vibrant borough of Tower Hamlets. There are opportunities to work flexibly and good support from collegiate SAS doctors and the consultant body within the Directorate.

Tower Hamlets adult mental health directorate had taken pride its continuity of care model where patients have the same consultant in the community and inpatient setting. Following the Coronavirus pandemic we had created a new model of one inpatient based consultant and several community based consultants within each Neighbourhood team working across primary care liaison and secondary mental health care. Some NMHTs have reverted back to the continuity of care model, though Bow and Poplar NMHT has not at this stage. The corner-stone of the model of care continues to be strong relationships across the interface between community/inpatient and primary/secondary care. Community Consultants' caseloads are aligned to specific GP practices from the Bow and Poplar area of Tower Hamlets., On average 8.0 Programmed Activities per week will be devoted to Direct Clinical Care. The Specialty Doctor will work under the supervision of the consultant. They will:

Work within a multidisciplinary setting offering psychiatric-medical input in the assessment, treatment and care management of the patients

Will adhere to the clinical lead model of service and principle of holistic care

Provide appropriate cross-cover for colleagues

Adhere to all service conditions and local policies

Clinical work will mainly entail comprehensive medical assessments that include history taking, mental and physical evaluation, and biopsychosocial formulations. These assessments might take place either following initial referrals to the team or in the process of care-coordination under the team. Other duties might involve diagnostic and treatment reviews and mental and physical treatment administration. Attendance to MHRT as appropriate and supervised by the RC may be required from time to time and a good knowledge of the MHA (2007) is required.

The doctor will also review patients in preparation of their CPA review and participate in CPA reviews

ELFT was an early adapter and one of the 12 national pilot sites for Community Mental Health Transformation as a part of the Long Term Plan. We have embarked upon an exciting transformation in the way community mental health care is delivered, including greater partnership working with primary care and voluntary sector organisations as well increased integration to include physical health community care. Tower Hamlets has had a long tradition of working closely with the community and GP partners and has shared care agreement with the local authority allowing delivery of more holistic and integrated care. The local community health services are also delivered by ELFT. This work is continuing within the context of the post pandemic demand for mental health services so specific roles and responsibilities may flex with the need to provide a coherent and safe service to our population.

Following the Coronavirus pandemic we had created a new model of one inpatient based consultant and several community based consultants within each Neighbourhood team working across primary care liaison and secondary mental health care. A pilot is currently taking place, reverting back to the continuity of care model. The corner-stone of the model of care continues to be strong relationships across the interface between community/inpatient and primary/secondary care. Community Consultants' caseloads are aligned to specific GP practices.