Service Description
About the Brooker Centre
Lectures
SHO Competency
Crash Call Procedure
Liaison Psychiatry
Preventing Violence
Managing disturbed In-patients
The service contracted is that for
the specialist assessment, diagnosis, treatment and care of patients usually aged over 16
with psychiatric disorders and associated mental health problems.
Individuals outside this age range may be treated under the terms of this service contract
in cases where the mental health services could provide a more appropriate therapeutic
setting for an individual than available within adolescent services.
The following patient groups are excluded from the service specification.
Substance abuse disorders
Challenging behaviour
Adults with learning difficulties
Patients requiring Specialist Alcohol Services
The Brooker Centre
MISSION
STATEMENT FOR PSYCHIATRY
This service is based on the perception that people with mental health problems,
regardless of the level of their disability, are of equal human value, have the same
rights and, as far as possible, the same responsibilities as other citizens, and have a
right, and a need, to a lifestyle similar to most people in society.
The service will encourage and support people who live an ordinary life of their own
choosing, and will ensure that they have the support they need to achieve these goals.
SERVICE PROFILE
The service is changing to meet the challenge of
the Mental Health strategy set by our main Purchasers, North Cheshire Health and South
Cheshire Health. Central to this challenge is the development at the Halton Hospital site-
a 73 bedded Unit with out-patients and day hospitals attached whilst in Widnes- a day
hospital and Community Team Base with a 10 bedded unit attached.
To prepare for these changes the Directorate have managed the 50 Halton beds in Winwick
Hospital since April 1998.
In our Community role we have focused on the developing Care Management role of the CPN in
the Primary Health Care Team.
The continued demands of the White Paper and the developing Primary Care Groups focuses
our thinking on delivering the whole whilst being mindful of individual needs.
Service Description
The employer is Halton General Hospital (NHS) Trust and queries should be directed to the
Medical Staffing Department, Halton Hospital (NHS) Trust, Hospital Way, Runcorn, Cheshire
WA7 2DA. Telephone: 01928 753481.
The Brooker Centre is a purpose-built, multi-million pound centre for the treatment of
acute mental illness in adults. It was opened in 1998.
There is a mixed acute adult ward (Bridge ward) and a mixed rehabilitation ward (Weaver
ward).
The Pine Day unit is a mixed acute day hospital which is open from 9.00 am to 9.00 pm.
The Norton Day Unit is a mixed dementia oriented day hospital open during normal working
hours.
The Pine Day Unit (PDU) is a 40 place treatment and assessment unit. It aims to provide a
quality, comprehensive and innovative service for those persons suffering from functional
mental illness, enabling them to continue living within the community as independently as
possible, further supporting and assisting any family or carers.
The unit is open 9 am-9 PM, seven days a week, 52 weeks of the year.
There is flexibility to incorporate groups or individuals from in-patient areas.
Range of Treatments and Therapies within the Adult Care Unit
Clinical Assessment
Functional Assessment
Psychological Assessment
Group therapy
Individual therapy
Chemotherapy (last reviewed 310798)
Occupational therapy
Physiotherapy
ECT is available as prescribed by the Consultant psychiatrist in accordance with the Trust
Policy, in collaboration with the patient and his/her family (see attached policy).
Other services will be available e.g. Dietetics and Speech Therapy.
PDU(Depot/Lithium/Clozaril clinics)
Service Components
The Community Mental Health Team (based at HGH and
Widnes)
The Runcorn Care Team (based at HGH)
Community Treatment Team
Acute Inpatient Service
Rehabilitation Unit
Domiciliary Unit
Outpatients Clinics
Support to Primary Health Care Teams.
Day Assessment and Treatment Centre.
Psychotherapy services (based at Thorn Road, Runcorn)
Psychotherapy Family Unit
Adult Psychotherapy Team
Widnes Care Team
Community Treatment Team
Domiciliary Visits
Outpatients Clinics
Support to Primary Health Care Teams
10 bedded Day Assessment and Treatment Centre
Service Availability
Community Mental Health Team
This facility is available from 9.00am until 8.00pm at HGH, 7 days per week after which
it's function is undertaken by the telephone advice line and the out of hours service. In
Widnes the facility is available from 9.00 am until 5.00 PM after which queries are
transferred to the Halton service.
In-patient areas
All hospital in-patient areas are accessible throughout 24 hours.
Day Assessment and Treatment Services
The day assessment and treatment services have the same service availability as the
community mental health team.
Acute In-patient(Services)
Acute inpatient services are provided at Halton General Hospital (NHS) Trust. This unit
comprises of a 24 bedded ward incorporating 2 Intensive Care beds, relating to the
community care teams. Halton General Hospital provides a full range of treatment and
therapy, facilities including purpose designed facilities for physiotherapy. and a range
of occupational therapies.
Version 4.0
October 2000