If you are new to the Psychiatry of Later Life Team, the first time you meet us will usually be at the New Patient Service. A psychiatrist and another member of the Multidisciplinary Team will see you in your own home.
How do I get an appointment?
You can be referred to us by your GP, by an Accident and Emergency department or by a psychiatrist or other psychiatric service.
How soon will I get seen?
The waiting time for an appointment varies depending on your particular mental health difficulty and our availability.
Useful things to have ready before your visit
It can be helpful to have:
- A list of any medications you’re currently taking (both prescription and over the counter)
- Your Medical Card Number
- Your PPS Number
- Your mobile and landline numbers
- Mobile and landlines numbers for your family.
- Name and address of your GP (if you have one)
Can somebody else be present with me?
Having a family member or friend can be good for support and to help you provide information.
Who will I see first?
You will see a psychiatrist and another member of the multidisciplinary team.
How long will it take?
You should allow roughly 1 hour for the first visit.
What kinds of questions will they ask me?
They will ask you how you’re feeling now, how you’ve been feeling recently and how you came to be referred. They will also ask about:
- Your mental health
- Your background
- Family history
- Current medication
- Your medical history
- Any previous treatment if you’ve had any
What happens next?
We’ll discuss your diagnosis and treatment options with you in detail.
We may refer you back to your GP with recommendations for treatment. We may offer you a further appointment. Or we may refer you to another member of the multidisciplinary team for further assessment or treatment. We may refer you to another of our services such as our day hospital or home care team. Or we may link you to other services in the community or refer you to one of our programmes.
I want to change my appointment, what should I do?
Contact us as soon as possible. We’ll offer your appointment to another person and give you a new date and time to see us. It is important to cancel the appointment if you are not going to keep it.
