East London NHS Foundation Trust: Integrative care pathway for patients with medically unexplained symptoms Medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) is the term used to refer to disorders where the physical symptoms have no medical explanation. patient’s MUS patients often have unmet health needs, as a result of incorrect diagnosis, and consequently ineffective treatment, despite frequent presentation at primary and secondary care services. Existing care pathways do not meet the complex needs of this group of patients. The complicated presentations, physical symptoms and distress mean that they require a care pathway and package that is both flexible and complex. A team from East London NHS Foundation Trust is establishing an innovative care pathway that provides a holistic primary care service. It will offer identification, assessment, engagement and treatment to MUS patients. The main project aims are to see a reduction in unnecessary attendances at primary and secondary care, improved health and increased patient satisfaction. Primary Contact Details: Professor Frank Röhricht, Consultant Psychiatrist and Clinical Director, Newham Centre for Mental Health, Glen Road, Cherry Tree Way, London E13 8SP frank.rohricht@eastlondon.nhs.uk Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust: Self-management support following traumatic brain injury Following traumatic brain injury (TBI), the physical, psychological and emotional consequences are often under-acknowledged, and little support for patients exists. However, these consequences can have a significant impact on individual and family quality of life. members’ A team at College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is working with Bridges, King’s a social enterprise that delivers self-management support packages for people following stroke, and are together adapting these for people with TBI. The package involves training multidisciplinary staff in the self-management ‘Bridges’ approach, a workbook for patients, and a booklet for their family, friends or carers, to support self-efficacy. This innovative project will implement and assess the Bridges TBI package, starting in the acute setting of a major trauma centre for the first time. It will provide proactive support following TBI, aiming to reduce emotional consequences, disruption to quality of life, use of primary care and need for onward referral. Primary Contact Details: Dr Petra Makela, Rehabilitation Physician, Department of Neurosurgery, 4th Floor, Hambleden Wing Central, College Hospital, Denmark King’s Hill, London, SE5 9RS p.makela@nhs.net
East London NHS Foundation Trust: Integrative care pathway for patients with medically unexplained symptoms Medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) is the term used to refer to disorders where the patient’s physical symptoms have no medical explanation. MUS patients often have unmet health needs, as a result of incorrect diagnosis, and consequently ineffective treatment, despite frequent presentation at primary and secondary care services. Existing care pathways do not meet the complex needs of this group of patients. The complicated presentations, physical symptoms and distress mean that they require a care pathway and package that is both flexible and complex. A team from East London NHS Foundation Trust is establishing an innovative care pathway that provides a holistic primary care service. It will offer identification, assessment, engagement and treatment to MUS patients. The main project aims are to see a reduction in unnecessary attendances at primary and secondary care, improved health and increased patient satisfaction. Primary Contact Details: Professor Frank Röhricht, Consultant Psychiatrist and Clinical Director, Newham Centre for Mental Health, Glen Road, Cherry Tree Way, London E13 8SP frank.rohricht@eastlondon.nhs.uk Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust: Self-management support following traumatic brain injury Following traumatic brain injury (TBI), the physical, psychological and emotional consequences are often under-acknowledged, and little support for patients exists. However, these consequences can have a significant impact on individual and family members’ quality of life. A team at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is working with Bridges, a social enterprise that delivers self-management support packages for people following stroke, and are together adapting these for people with TBI. The ‘Bridges’ package involves training multidisciplinary staff in the self-management approach, a workbook for patients, and a booklet for their family, friends or carers, to support self-efficacy. This innovative project will implement and assess the Bridges TBI package, starting in the acute setting of a major trauma centre for the first time. It will provide proactive support following TBI, aiming to reduce emotional consequences, disruption to quality of life, use of primary care and need for onward referral. Primary Contact Details: Dr Petra Makela, Rehabilitation Physician, Department of Neurosurgery, 4th Floor, Hambleden Wing Central, King’s College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS p.makela@nhs.net