Wandsworth Older People's Community Mental Health Team
Who we are
This is a CMHT (Community Mental Health Team) offering assessment and diagnosis for those suffering functional and organic mental health problems.
We provide care and treatment to people with complex psychological, cognitive, functional, behavioural, physical problems usually related to age.
The Wandsworth Older People’s Team comprises of the Behaviour and Communication Support Service (BACSS), Community Behaviour and Communication Support Service (CBACSS), Dementia Clinical Nurse Specialist (DCNS) service, Wandsworth Memory Assessment Service, and Wandsworth Recovery and Support Team.
Behaviour and Communication Support Service (BACSS)
A specialist care home team supporting staff in caring for their residents who are experiencing behavioural and emotional difficulties associated with a mental health diagnosis and/or dementia. The team offers innovative and multidisciplinary care and also have an active role in teaching and training staff teams in excellent person centered care.
Community Behaviour and Communication Support Service (CBACSS)
A specialist service to support people with Dementia who are experiencing behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) at a level that is challenging and significant. The service offers a multidisciplinary and whole systems approach. We aim to help families to live well with dementia in the community.
Dementia Clinical Nurse Specialist (DCNS) service
A specialist team of Dementia Nurses providing a bridge between primary and secondary care. The team supports GPs with people on their dementia register who are vulnerable and at risk of disengaging with health services.
Wandsworth Memory Assessment Service
A specialist diagnostic service for people who are experiencing signs of memory and cognitive impairment. The service provides expertise around dementia investigations, diagnosis and differential diagnosis. We provide preliminary advice and support for people post diagnosis and refer on to other services if appropriate.
Wandsworth Recovery and Support Team
The RST supports people with severe functional mental health problems with ongoing or enduring support & recovery requirements e.g. depression, psychosis. We provide expertise in a multidisciplinary and person centered approach to recovery.
Who is the service for
The service is for older people with mental health conditions aged 18 and over for cognitive impairment. 75 and over for functional mental illness. (Frailty as well as other physical health conditions are also taken into consideration where patients with a functional mental illness are below 75).
Where to find us
Entrance 3, 1st Floor, Ghodse Building 17
Trinity Building, Springfield University Hospital
15 Springfield Drive
London
SW17 0YF
Telephone: 020 3513 5000
Email: wandsworthOPservices@swlstg.nhs.uk
Our opening hours
Monday to Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm
Who you might see / our staff
Dr Tom Dixon - Consultant Psychiatrist
Dr Beata Mougey – Consultant Psychiatrist
Dr. Krishnaveni Vedavanam – Consultant Psychiatrist
Katharine Kerr - Team Manager
What you can expect
Anyone who uses our services first gets an assessment of their mental health needs and a plan of the care and support they will receive. They will also will also have one named person who co-ordinates their care and support. This person will be called either a named professional or, if your needs are more complex, a care co-ordinator. This person should be your main point of contact. You can speak to them about how your treatment and support are going.
How to contact us
Referrals
*From May 2022 the e-RS route will be the only way for GP Practices to send in referrals. This means that all first outpatient referrals must come into our Trust via the Electronic Referral Service (e-RS).
Referrals should be sent via eRS, where you will be prompted to choose the service you require.
If eRS is not available, then please reach us via our Team email address which is wandsworthopservices@swlstg.nhs.uk
Mental Health Crisis Line
Patient advice and liaison service
Finding a service
Contact us
Mental Health Support Line
Childline
Samaritans