This section provides information on our community mental health teams (or CMHTs) for older people. On this page you will find general information about the work of the CMHTs, links so you can learn more about specific teams across Derbyshire and Derby city, and details of how to give feedback about the care you receive.
Who do the teams support?
The teams offer support to people with a range of mental health difficulties. Examples of these include all types of dementia, psychosis, bi-polar, personality disorder, severe depressio and anxiety.
The service is largely for clients above working age (aged 65 years and above). However the service will work with people under 65 years of age where dementia is a likely diagnosis or where it is considered to be the most appropriate service.
How will my local team work with me?
The teams are committed to providing mental health support based on individual need. After assessing your needs, the team will work with you to help you find both short-term and longer-term ways to improve your mental health, and to focus on healthy living and behaviours. The team may also ‘signpost’ you to other local community groups, organisations and amenities that may help you – such as by enabling you to meet new people in your community, build your confidence, keep yourself well or gain new skills. For further information on courses and signposting available in your area please select the relevant team from the list below.
The teams work closely with the Dementia rapid response teams and can refer to this service when people are experiencing higher levels of needs related to their dementia. The team provide more intensive input over short periods of time and help avoid the need for hospital admission. Further information can be found on the Dementia services page.
In the south of the county and the city the teams have access to the in reach and home treatment team, this time provides intensive home treatment for people experiencing an exacerbation of symptoms associated to a functional illness.
What kind of health professionals will be in the team to support me?
The team is made up of a range of health professionals including nurses, occupational therapists, psychologists, mental health support workers and consultant psychiatrists.
Members of the team will provide home visits for holistic assessments and provide continued one to one work or refer you on to Specialist Day Services for group therapy, DRRT (Dementia Rapid Response Team) or MAS (Memory Assessment Service) - details of these 2 services can be found on the Dementia Services page.
How can the team help me?
The aim of all the support we provide is to assist you in your recovery - if not to full health, then to the point of enjoying the best possible quality of life.
Because we work in a multi-disciplinary way, the support we provide may involve a range of different approaches. It may include:
- Medical support
- Support to change the way you view yourself and how you deal with stressful situations
- Putting you in touch with other agencies in order for you to get the support you need
- Short-term work with you if you are at risk whilst adjusting to a life event or have a specific mental health diagnosis which requires short-term support
How will you help me to keep well and manage my condition?
The team recognises how important it is for you to learn as much as possible, to support the way you manage the condition you experience. We respond to the need for “keeping well” education and we work with other parts of the community to jointly produce programmes and educational packages for this purpose. Examples of the community groups and organisations we work with include:
- Residential and nursing homes
- Day or voluntary services
- Independent groups.
We want to support your recovery journey and wellbeing by offering a range of courses and resources, in order to support you with fulfilling your potential. These courses are linked to your local area. Find out more by clicking on one of the links below, which will take you to information about each community team.
Will you involve my family or carer?
We believe that taking a collaborative approach with you and, where appropriate, your carers, provides for a meaningful care and treatment plan, so wherever possible we will involve people in this process.
We also believe this helps with social inclusion - that is, enabling people to fully participate in society. We will work alongside your carers, particularly where there may be issues with your capacity to make your own decisions.
Visit our Core Care Standards page to learn more about how we work with carers and families.
Find your local team
Please select your local team below for contact details and information on courses, groups or available support.
Page list
Feedback about our community mental health services
To make a compliment, complaint or a comment about our community mental health services, you can contact our Patient Experience Team:
- Complete the feedback form on this site
- Email: dhcft.patientexperience@nhs.net
- Telephone: 01332 623751 or freephone 0800 027 2128
- Write to: Patient Experience Team, Kingsway House (Room 162), Kingsway Hospital, Kingsway, Derby, DE22 3LZ.
If you have a compliment to make about a team or individual, you may also like to submit a nomination through our staff recognition scheme, the DEED scheme - Delivering Excellence Every Day.
We want to hear from you, so please contact us.
