Psychiatry


A very warm welcome to the Psychiatry web page for Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. I am the locality tutor for East Sussex supported by Maria McKenna and her team

Doctor Adrian Galea – Consultant Psychiatrist CRHT, East Sussex

Psychiatry in East Sussex host approximately 20 trainee Psychiatry posts from:

  • Foundation FY1/FY2
  • GPSTP
  • Psychiatry (Core and Higher trainees)
  • Medical Students, Brighton and Sussex Medical School

Settings can be across varrious Psychiatry specialities and care groups, such as:

  • Inpatient
  • Community or Crisis Team
  • General Adult
  • Old Age
  • Child and Adolescent
  • Liaison or forensic Psychiatry

We are now one of the largest influential, effective and well respected mental health trusts in the country. Working in partnership with the Brighton and Sussex Medical School, we are developing a national reputation for leading edge research, becoming a university status Trust in August 2015

Psychiatry is the study of disorders which affect mental health, including schizophrenia, manic depressive illness, depression, dementia and anxiety disorders, as well as psychological symptoms caused by medical illnesses. Psychiatric problems are the most common reason for GP attendance and community prevalence rates for psychiatric disorder 10 – 30%, with much higher rates in other settings (e.g. 50% on medical wards).

Clinical Work and Support

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust consists of some 5000 passionate and dedicated clinicians and support staff, working hand in hand with partners in the community to care for and support vulnerable people. We aim to improve peoples lives by providing high quality care and the best possible experience of our services. We provide services in a wide range of places including:

  • Hospital
  • Community clinics
  • Patient homes
  • GP Practices

We provide metal healthcare throughout Sussex, the South East of England and beyond in the areas of:

  • Children and Adolescents
  • Older age
  • Working age
  • Learning disability
  • Early intervention services
  • Substance misuse
  • Secure and forensic
  • Prison healthcare

Despite common misperceptions, a range of effective psychological (talking) and pharmacological treatments are available, although many psychiatric disorders can be serious and chronic, most patients recover. Those who don’t can still be helped to a significant extent to improve their quality of life

General Practice Trainee at Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust has given me the opportunity to experience Psychiatry both in the community and on the wards. In addtion, weekly academic meetings in the Psychiatric Department allow junior and senior clinicians to update themselves with the current guidelines and practices in Psychiatry and also dissect the up and coming research within the field. As a GP Trainee this has been an invaluable and enjoyable opportunity for my self directed learning

Dr Omar Pathan – GPST1 Trainee

During your 4 month rotation in Psychiatry you will be supported by a dedicated consultant psychiatrist, which will better enable you to deliver core competencies from the Psychiatry curriculum. Trainee progress is reviewed through direct and observational supervision, covering topics such as:

  • Mental Health Act – Changes, Acredited Medical Practitioner, Role of Mental Welfare Commission
  • Medico-legal issues – Adults with incapacity, Fitness to Drive (Mental Health)
  • Therapeutics – Anti-psychotics, ECT, Emergency Sedation
  • Specific Treatments – Psychotherapy, CBT, Anger Management, Relaxation Techniques
  • Awareness of Classification systems used – ICD 10/DSM 4
  • Awareness of prevalence mental illness expected in primary care
  • Awareness of theories – Freud, Jung, Laing, Balint

Educational Opportunities

Trainee doctors have protected teaching time each Wednesday afternoon to attend the psychiatry academic programme with doctors from other specialities. This typically consists of a case presentation, journal club/critical appraisal, lecture by a local or external guest speaker and Balint Group

Training in East Sussex means exposure to populations with different needs in a pleasant part of the country with a mixture of urban, coastal and rural communities and their differing needs. We are closely linked with Brighton and Sussex Medical School

Trainee posts are usually at or close to one of our main sites; the Department of Psychiatry at Eastbourne District General Hospital, Conquest Hospital, Hastings, as well as community bases at St Mary’s House, Eastbourne and Cavendish House, Hastings

Recognising and assessing medical problems in psychiatric settings (RAMPPS) e-learning

The Recognising and Assessing Medical Problems in Psychiatric Settings (RAMPPS) e-learning module developed by Health Education England working across Yorkshire and the Humber is now available.

The module is suitable for all healthcare staff in both acute and community-based mental health settings, for example doctors, nurses, support workers, pharmacists and Allied Health Professionals. Completing this short interactive 15 minute module can help to broaden or refresh the knowledge of applying structured approaches and best practice tools when recognising, assessing and managing the deteriorating physical health of patients in mental health settings.

For more information please visit the E-learning for healthcare website

You can also visit the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust website