A COMMUNITY mental health team has moved into a GP practice in a bid to improve dementia diagnosis and care for older people in east Durham.

The pilot project, run by Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, has seen the Easington older person’s community mental health team open a clinic in Blackhall GP practice, Blackhall, near Peterlee.

The aim of the project is to simplify the referral process, so people registered with the GP practice can access mental health services quickly and conveniently.

It also aims to improve communication between GPs and mental health services, making referrals quicker so people get the assessments and support they need as soon as possible.

The first patient was seen in the monthly clinic in July and since then 21 people have been referred.

Michael Curtis, community psychiatric nurse, said: “Working in partnership with our colleagues at Blackhall GP surgery on this project has proved invaluable.

“Not only has the pilot seen the improvement of engagement between services, along with reduced waiting times and improved outcomes for patients, but it has more importantly played a role in helping to normalise the illness.

“And it reassures this community that dementia can be assessed, treated and monitored within their own GP surgery.

Dr Kamal Sidhu, of the practice, added: “The pilot is receiving very positive feedback from people with dementia and their families.

“Memory assessments at the surgery, a place people have been familiar with for a large part of their lives, has helped reduce the stigma around diagnosis of dementia.

"The elimination of time between assessment and communication to the GP has greatly helped to improve the care provided.”