The Westminster Older People Community Mental Health Team provides specialised mental health care and support primarily for older adults in the Westminster area. This service operates Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm, and focuses on helping individuals manage a range of mental health difficulties.
While many patients experience short-term issues and return to the care of their General Practitioner (GP) once their condition improves, a smaller number with more complex or ongoing needs will remain under the team's specialist care for a longer duration. This ensures they receive continuous treatment, monitoring, and support tailored to their specific requirements.
The team welcomes referrals for individuals with various mental health concerns. This includes people of any age with a primary diagnosis of dementia, although this excludes cases stemming from traumatic brain injury or Korsakoff's syndrome. They also support individuals with a mental disorder alongside a significant physical illness or frailty that either contributes to or complicates their mental health management; exceptionally, this may include those under 60. Furthermore, the service is available to people experiencing psychological or social difficulties related to the ageing process, or those dealing with end-of-life issues, who feel an older people's service would best meet their needs. Typically, this would involve individuals over 70. The team always applies these criteria considering the person's own preferences regarding services.
For those who have not previously engaged with any of the community mental health services, referrals are typically made by a GP, social services, or other health professionals. However, if you have had prior contact with the team, you are encouraged to reach out directly to discuss any concerns or difficulties you may be experiencing. It's important to note that the team usually arranges to see people in their own homes by appointment and does not offer a walk-in service.
