Primary care mental health team

Primary Care Mental Health Team

The Primary Care Mental Health (PCMH) service covers GP surgeries in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. The service provides specialist mental health support for GP surgeries so that patients with mental ill health can access prompt advice and support, receive help in a community setting and experience a more joined-up approach to care.

We have an information booklet that you can download from this link: PCMHS leaflet update 21.07.2020 V2.0.docx [docx] 441KB

It promotes early assessment, treatment and/or onward referral in the community. It supports patients to focus on achievable goals and access local community resources. The service promotes a patient-centred joint approach to physical and mental health, and support patients to step down from specialist mental health services. Patients’ social care needs are also considered as part of this integrated approach.

PCHM is for anyone aged between 17-65 years with mental ill health and is based on a person’s needs rather than their diagnosis. Based on need, they may be referred on to different health services, such as specialist mental health services, including the First Response Service.

The patient sees their GP and a decision is made as to which service would be appropriate for the patient - this could be a referral to the Primary Care Mental Health Service team. Once referred, service staff will make contact with the patient / service user and either provide telephone advice and signposting or offer a face-to-face assessment.

Patients will meet PCHMS staff in their local GP surgery where possible, meaning they are in a familiar environment and reducing travel. The service aims to ensure patients get the right treatment in the right place at the right time by the right person based on their need. What we've seen is fewer people requiring specialist care and the majority were seen by the PCMHS team in their GP surgery where they received signposting, education, advice or interventions. At initial assessment it is unlikely that medication treatment advice is provided until professional liaison with senior medical staff is completed.

We need your feedback

If you are a patient have accessed the Primary Care Mental Health Service, we would like to get your feedback on your experience. Please follow this link to complete a short survey. Your feedback will help us to improve the service. If you would like further information, please contact 01733 748777 or  cpm-tr.prismservice@nhs.net

As a patient

As a patient, relative or carer using our services, sometimes you may need to turn to someone for help, advice, and support. 

Patient Advice and Liaison service  Contact the Trust