New Paediatric Mental Health Service launched
Our new Paediatric Mental Health Service (PaMHS) has been launched last week.
The service will provide intensive, individualised, mental health support to children up to 17 years old on Children Emergency Department, Children’s Assessment Unit and Buxton ward.
Once at full establishment the service will operate Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 6.30pm and will:
- Support children and families in areas such as the management of crisis episodes, emotional dysregulation, emotional containment, managing overwhelming and triggering thoughts and safety at home
- Provide support and guidance to colleagues to improve knowledge, skills and confidence in meeting this patient groups needs and confidently managing complex and high-risk behaviours
- Provide direct support and education to families and caregivers
- Develop close working relationships with community services, both statutory and voluntary sector organisations, to ensure a joined-up, child-centred approach to treatment is adopted.
“For the first time we have our own dedicated Paediatric Mental Health service on site, to provide children and their families with intensive therapeutic support from specialist mental health practitioners,” said Kieron Loane, Mental Health Deputy Service Manager.
“This demonstrates our commitment to improving the services we offer to children who attend our hospital with a mental health need.
“I am excited to be leading on this new development alongside Annie Rump, our newly appointment Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist.
“Annie has joined us from NSFT where her previous role was Clinical Team Leader for the Crisis Assessment and Intensive Support Team (CAIST) for under 18’s. Annie brings an extensive set of skills, knowledge and experience to the Trust and it is great to have her on board. “
“I am pleased to have been given the opportunity to step into a newly developed role with a clear need for specialist mental health support for children, young people and their families who are increasingly coming into contact with acute paediatric services,” said Annie.
“I am passionate about improving the care and experience for this complex group of children and young people; and I’m excited that a role has been developed to meet a currently unmet need.”