Posted on: 23 June 2023
Claudine Pisani the Team Manager of CNWL’s Rapid Engagement and Support Team tells us more about the work REST do to support people with addictions in both the Trust’s mental health services and in Hammersmith and Fulham.
The team are currently based in St Mary’s Hospital as part of the Psychiatric Liaison Team, working with patients to offer recovery services for those with addictions.
“We provide ‘on the spot’ addictions support and build bridges out to community addictions teams for people while they are in inpatient mental health settings and emergency departments”
Claudine says
“Addictions can often be the cause of someone’s mental health difficulties or contribute to them so it makes sense to treat the addiction alongside their mental health while they are in our care.”
By attending ward rounds and handover meetings they are able to keep other staff informed and gather referrals.
Claudine explains
“Often you have to wait until you are discharged to get focused support for an addiction such as drinking or drug use. We accept referrals from other healthcare professionals and patients directly so we can give people the support they need sooner. That means working with patients to offer advice and treatment as well as upskilling staff on the mental health wards to better support someone who’s struggling to quit so they have better outcomes when they are discharged.”
Last year the team conducted a quality improvement project to increase referrals for patients on Thames Ward in St Charles Hospital by 25 per cent.
317 REST referrals came from NHS wards and psychiatry services, most being referred to REST as an inpatient on an adult mental health ward.
REST are no longer based in Acute and rehab mental health sites across CNWL but are now working in a new mental health assessment centre at St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, which will provide patients who require emergency care for their mental health a more immediate therapeutic environment to be seen by REST professionals. The new unit, called ‘The Lighthouse’ is a 365 days a year service which will treat patients who require urgent mental health care in a holistic and therapeutic environment.
“We make a difference – we advocate for staff and service users” says Claudine who has previously worked in the Trust’s Education Team, wider addictions services and currently oversees the Substance Use in Mental Health Lead in Hillingdon and Statutory Team Enabling Pathways (STEP) Team. “My experience in different departments has really helped”
What’s next for the team and Claudine?
REST has launched in Hammersmith and Fulham to provide addictions support to people in hostels who require addictions and mental health support.
REST will continue to work on a QI project to improve take-home of Naloxone Kits to patients identified as appropriate. “It makes a huge difference to their recovery, it’s life-saving, evidence- based and there is a lot more we can do to support with this.”
Claudine recently completed the Trust’s 21 Century Leadership Course and was awarded Innovative Social Worker of the Year at the Trust’s Social Worker Conference earlier in the year.