Case Management & MDT Services

What are the benefits of an MDT programme?

A formal MDT programme is particularly beneficial for patients who have complex symptoms, multiple conditions or who require intensive care. In some cases, an MDT approach can be an alternative to being admitted to a hospital or clinic. This also depends on the level of risk involved and whether the person’s situation can safely be treated in the community (as an outpatient) instead of in a hospital (as an inpatient). 

What happens during an MDT programme?

During a formal MDT programme, your psychiatrist will be in regular, close contact with you and any other people you’d like involved in your treatment plan (such as your family, loved ones or other professionals). The team generally meets at least once a week to ensure that all professionals are updated with the current progress and next course of action.

Are MDT programmes used in the NHS?

Formal MDT programmes are often used in healthcare, particularly in the NHS, to coordinate care amongst different professionals for patients who need a more intensive and coordinated level of care. Private practitioners often work in relative isolation, and therefore, when individual outpatient appointments are insufficient to meet the presenting levels of risk or complexity, patients are often referred to inpatient services or back to the NHS 

At the London Psychiatry Clinic, we have experience using formal MDT programmes to support an individual (and often their family as well) for a specified period of time to help ensure they and their loved ones get the level of support that they need in the community.

How is an MDT programme different to standard private treatment?

At the London Psychiatry Clinic, we often provide a multi-disciplinary approach on an informal basis as part of our standard approach to patient care and treatment. However, our MDT service is a more intensive approach that provides a higher level of integrated care. For example, our psychiatrists will communicate regularly with psychotherapists and other specialists involved in a patient’s treatment plan. In contrast, during an MDT, the specialists involved will have regular, scheduled meetings to discuss and decide on the best treatment approach for patients on an individual case-by-case basis.

What does a multi-disciplinary team look like?

Our MDTs are always coordinated by a Consultant Psychiatrist who takes the leading role. They tend to involve a range of other specialists such as:

• The Practice Manager of the London Psychiatry Clinic, who has a general overseeing role (non-clinical)
• A Clinical Psychologist or Psychotherapist
• A Family Therapist
• A Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN)
• The patient’s GP (whenever feasible) - whether private or NHS
• A Care Coordinator 
• A Mental Health Coach
• A Recovery Coach or Sober Companion

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A patient may also benefit from the inclusion of other specialists, such as:

• A Nutritionist or Dietician
• A Physiotherapist
• A Personal trainer
• A tutor or teacher from the school
• Social Services (if they are already involved in the case)

What is included in an MDT programme?

MDT services can include:

• Ongoing assessments
• Customised therapy
• Care planning and facilitation
• Coordinating treatment with other specialists
• Regular communication and check-ups

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Additional information:

• We can provide a bespoke MDT approach for patients from the age of 12 onwards into adulthood.  
• The youngest patient for whom we have provided case management is 12 years old. There is no upper limit in terms of age.

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Our practice management team is discreet and professional. We are happy to liaise with the patient directly where appropriate, but can also make arrangements with family members or perhaps their Family Office. 

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FAQ

What are the fees for an MDT programme?

The fees correspond to the time of the professionals involved, including the time spent in meetings and on administration. For some intensive MDT programmes, there may be additional MDT charges. Please note that MDT teams tend to meet on a weekly basis (generally 30-60 minutes), for which there will be a charge for each attending clinician. There may also be charges for additional reports, travel time, or other special circumstances. 

Before engaging in an MDT, we always provide a quote outlining the fees and, if appropriate, the length of time and level of intensity that we recommend for the particular presenting circumstances.  Please send us an email at enquiries@londonpsychiatry.clinic if you wish to have a discussion with our Practice Manager regarding an MDT approach for you or another person.

Can I still be admitted to a clinic or hospital if I’m in an MDT programme?

If that is your preference, or if your team strongly believes that you would benefit from a hospital admission, we would discuss this with you. We have the option to offer an admission at a number of hospitals near London (for example, the Nightingale Hospital). Alternatively, we can also suggest other hospitals or clinics outside of London or the UK depending on your needs and preferences.

How will I know an MDT is right for me?

You can speak with our medical secretaries to learn more about how an MDT could fit your or your loved one’s needs. We can arrange a brief courtesy call directly with one of our specialists so you can judge for yourself if they have the right skills and experience for your case.

Which conditions can you treat with an MDT programme?

An MDT approach can be used for any condition, ranging from burnout or anxiety to more complex cases like addiction, autism, depression, bipolar, borderline personality or schizophrenia. Sometimes the MDT approach helps in the context of difficult family dynamics, where a family intervention is helpful (for example, in the case of a divorce).

Can my child be under an MDT if Social Services are involved?

Yes, that is possible. We have successfully collaborated with Social Services in some previous cases.

Can a suicidal patient be managed outside of hospital?

Following the initial assessment, the psychiatrist will be able to determine if the risk posed by the suicidal thoughts is such that the patient should be admitted into a mental health clinic or hospital in order to ensure their safety and provide appropriate treatment. If this is the case, we will be able to assist in identifying the right place for admission. Some of our psychiatrists have admitting rights to the Nightingale Hospital in Marylebone, London. We are also able to assist in admitting the person in alternative hospitals, such as one of the Priory hospitals or the Cardinal clinic, if that’s the patient’s preference.

In some cases, the psychiatrist may think that it is safe to offer a treatment plan in the community that will involve a number of mental health professionals. The risk of this will be monitored on a regular basis.

MDT and Case management for addiction at the London Psychiatry Clinic

MDT / Case management services are particularly useful for patients with addiction who are in active use and need an intervention to stop, or if they have recently stopped and need a support network around them to help them grow stronger and avoid relapses. We can provide bespoke therapy, assist with attendance to 12-step meetings (if required), coordinate with other addiction services (such as Start2Stop or Charter Harley Street) and offer many other services that may be useful to patients along their addiction recovery journeys.

If the patient consents, we can also carry out regular urine drug testing and organise hair drug testing.

Occasionally, we use Soberlink, a professional-grade breathalyser system with facial recognition that automatically sends results in real-time to the cloud and can be seen by the treatment team. If the patient consents, this can also be sent to their family or loved ones. This is a very useful strategy in some cases where it is difficult to monitor abstinence from alcohol.

If the person needs a detox, some of our psychiatrists have admitting rights to the Nightingale Hospital in Marylebone, London. We are also able to assist in admitting the person to another hospital, UK or worldwide, depending on the patient’s preference and the expertise within that particular hospital or clinic.