New mental health role created to help people in hospital

A NEW role has been created by NHS Shetland aimed at supporting people who may be suffering from mental health problems at the Gilbert Bain Hospital in Lerwick.

The mental health liaison nurse will also lead on the development of procedures that support the management of patients with mental health conditions in hospital.

The nurse will also help to ensure smooth transfer to in-patient mental health facilities at Cornhill in Aberdeen.

The post is currently being recruited to, with a closing date of 5 July.

NHS Shetland clinical nurse manager Graham Laing said that this line of work had previously been undertaken by the community mental health team, but a specialist role has been introduced as services are enhanced.

“The liaison mental health nurse is a specialist service providing mental health care in a physical health setting,” he explained.

“They support the work of clinicians working in ‘general health pathways’.

“This enables the A&E and wards in Gilbert Bain Hospital to assess and manage mental health problems as they present or arise among people being cared for in the ‘general health pathway’.”

The job advert says the successful applicant will provide “high quality evidence-based nursing intervention for adults presenting in acute mental health crisis to the Gilbert Bain Hospital”.