INFORMATION FOR CLIENTS AND CARERS
WHAT IS THE ACTIVE COMMUNITY TEAM
The Active Community Team is a service set up in 2000 as part of
Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust's response
to the government's agenda for change in mental health services
which are laid out in a document called the 'National Service
Framework for Mental Health'.
WHO ARE THE TEAM MEMBERS?
The Team consists of:
- 1 Clinical Specialist
- 3 Nurses
- 1 Psychologist
- 1Consultant Psychiatrist
- 1 Doctor
- 2 Health Care Assistants
- 1 Social Worker
- 1 Secretary
WHAT DOES THE TEAM DO?
The Active Community Team works with clients and carers to
identify their wants and needs, and then aims to meet those needs
through an agreed level of contact. We work with a smaller
number of clients to enable us to offer flexible long-term
support
We aim to provide practical support, care and treatment as
required, and at times which are suited to the service user and
carers. This may include practical assistance and problem
solving, help with securing and maintaining accommodation or
benefits/finances, helping with developing interests and
activities, education or employment opportunities, as well as
offering support and help with any treatment of medication
issues.
WHO MIGHT NEED THE ACTIVE COMMUNITY TEAM?
People who have experienced particular difficulties in engaging
and maintaining contact with services, whether this be due to
levels of distress, the effects of illness, lifestyle, or
previous experiences of mental health or welfare services.
People who have had more than one admission to hospital -
especially recent admissions - may also benefit from the
service.
WHAT IS THE TEAM'S APPROACH TO CARE?
Each client will have one team member (a case manager) who works
closely with them to identify problems and agree what help is
required.
An emphasis is placed on a 'team approach' which allows for
other team members to respond to clients' and carers' needs, and
this means that there is a need for information to be shared within
the team. This enables the team to provide a flexible, creative and
practical service.
This approach allows the case manager to ensure that any
specialist skills within the team are available to clients and
carers, and also enables the team to provide help when it is
needed.
WHERE WILL THE WORK, CARE AND TREATMENT TAKE PLACE?
This may be offered in the client's home or other community
settings, whenever possible at times convenient to clients and
carers. Your case manager may attend appointments with you,
or any meetings where you require support or practical
assistance.
WHAT IS THE TEAM APPROACH TO CARERS?
The team recognises the support that clients receive from their
relatives and carers, and we also recognise that carers in turn
have their own needs for support, and sometimes for practical
assistance.
We aim to help provide support to relatives and carers whilst
being aware of our responsibilities to maintain our clients'
confidentiality.
WHAT AREA DOES THE TEAM COVER?
The team covers the geographical area of Bath and North East
Somerset, and can provide a service to clients who are registered
with any GP practice within that area.
WHEN IS THE TEAM AVAILABLE?
Monday - Friday - 9.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m. (including Bank
Holidays)
In addition to these core hours, the team is able to provide
some limited time after 5.00 p.m. but we are not sufficiently
staffed to provide weekend staffing.
COMMENTS, CONCERNS AND COMPLAINTS?
We are always trying to improve our service and would value your
comments and suggestions.
If you have concerns about the service, these can very often be
resolved by talking to the team member you are seeing. If,
however, your concerns are more serious and you wish to make a
formal complaint, you should write to:
Laura McMurtrie
Chief Executive
Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
Bath NHS House
Newbridge Hill
Bath BA1 3QA
WHERE TO CONTACT THE TEAM
The Active Community Team
Hillview Lodge
Royal United Hospital
Combe Park
Bath BA1 3NG
Tel: 01225 825833 / Fax: 01225 825327
