Specialty Doctor in Perinatal Psychiatry

Job summary

The Durham and Darlington community mental health team was commissioned in 2018 and initially was part of the existing Teesside service. Following differences in funding from the CCGs in 2020 the decision was made to formally split into two separate services. Currently the Durham and Darlington perinatal community mental health team is one of three specialist perinatal community mental health teams within the Trust (County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire and York). Each of the teams have some different processes but the services closely liaise to share and develop good practice.

The team provides specialist assessment and management for women of all ages suffering from, or at risk of suffering from, moderate and complex/severe mental illness either during pregnancy or up to 24 months postnatally. We also offer pre-conception counselling for those with enduring mental illness who are planning a pregnancy. We provide specialist advice to other services and accept referrals from maternity services, GPs, 0-25 service, social workers, IAPT providers and TEWV services. We work closely with all these services. If patients are open to another secondary mental health team, we will work alongside this team to offer specialist input for the woman during the perinatal period. The service has links with local acute services such as the crisis and liaison teams, as well as the general adult inpatient wards and specialist mother and baby inpatient units.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work as a member of a multidisciplinary team. They will undertake assessments, run outpatient clinics and do home visits as required with support and supervision from the Consultant Psychiatrist. On occasions the post holder will be expected to contribute towards Mental Health Act Assessments. They will offer advice to general practitioners and non-medical prescribers, as well as any junior doctors who are attached to the team. The post holder will contribute towards the monitoring of patients physical health care in relation to the medication that they take.

General professional duties of post holder

1. Maintain good clinical records using Trusts electronic record system; record clinical activity accurately and comprehensively

2. Undertake administrative duties associated with the care of patients

3. Maintain a revalidation portfolio and participate in annual appraisal

4. Contribute to clinical audit.

5. Undertake a job plan review with the Lead psychiatrist/AMD and Locality Manager/Head of Service annually

6. Maintain professional registration with the GMC and as a Section 12(2) approved doctor.

7. Comply with Trusts agreed policies and procedures.

8. Maintain confidentiality of information at all times.

9. To be conversant and comply with Trust Health and Safety Policy.

10. To act at all times in the best interest of patients/clients.

11. Attend all relevant mandatory and statutory training as required.

About us

We are one of the largest specialist mental health and learning disabilities trusts in the country, with an annual income of £320m and a workforce of some 6,700 staff operating from around 100 sites in Durham, Teesside, North Yorkshire and York and Selby. We provide a range inpatient and community services to 2m people living in County Durham, the Tees Valley, Scarborough, Whitby, Ryedale, Harrogate, Hambleton and Richmondshire. We also provide additional specialist services to other parts of Northern England.

We are a multi-award winning trust and are included within the Health Service Journals Best 100 Places to Work. The trust take a positive and proactive approach to support staff in their personal development and has embedded the Talent Management approach within the Trust.

Psychiatrists are essential contributors to the majority of our mental health teams. Service users expect and are justified to expect collaborative relationships with dedicated psychiatrists who work consistently as part of effective services. Our medical staffing shortage puts strain on services and puts strain on workforce wellbeing and costs extend beyond the financial. The Medical Directorate and Medical Development Team are striving to improve medical workforce recruitment and retention in a variety of ways and the cornerstone of these efforts is The TEWV Charter for the Medical Workforce. (Please see attached Supporting Document).