Principal Investigator: Dr Anto Rajamani

To determine the physical health care needs of older adult patients under mental health services.

Rationale

ImPreSs in a qualitative semi-structured interview study that aims to improve our understanding of the physical health needs of older people under mental health services, and how we might be able to reduce admission to acute trusts through a geriatric liaison service. This is important to address the current disparity in physical health care provided to older people under mental health services.

Objectives

To determine the physical health care needs of older adult patients under mental health services.

Inclusion criteria

1. Current in-patients aged over 65 years with at least one physical health care need
2. Community dwelling patients aged over 65 years with at least one combined physical and mental health care need
3. Carers of current community dwelling and in-patients as described above
4. Mental health practitioners (nurse, doctor, healthcare assistant, pharmacist, occupational therapist or physiotherapist) who care for older people aged over 65 with physical and mental care needs in mental health inpatient units, outpatient, community services, or general medical wards
5. Managers responsible for older persons services at acute or mental health trusts, and commissioners for mental health services for older people at acute or mental health trusts
6. Patients sectioned under the Mental Health Act will be considered suitable for inclusion providing their clinical care team feels they are well enough and it would not detriment their health to participate in the study

All participants must have capacity to provide written informed consent or have a personal consultee to do so on their behalf

Exclusion criteria

• Aged under 65 years
• Lacks capacity to consent or personal consultee
• Deemed too clinically unwell or in acute crisis by the clinical care team to participate in the research.

Expected recruitment time is 1st September 2022 to 1st September 2025.

Funding: This project is funded by National Institute for Health and Social Care Research (NIHR) and Three Schools Dementia Career Development Award.

Contact: For more information please contact Sue Smith, Senior Research Delivery Officer at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 07920 453 824