Mental Health Intensive Care Course

 - University of Kingston - London

Initially conceived as an idea in early 2006 the above training course has been developed in Partnership between the National Association of Psychiatric Intensive Care Units (NAPICU) South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust (SWLSTG) and Kingston University. The course is aimed at all practitioners within mental health intensive care environments. The module spans 10 days and provides 30 credits at either level 2 or 3.

The syllabus has been informed by a number of high level, serious untoward incidents, and through a process of nationwide consultation with clinical service providers and leaders in the field of Psychiatric intensive care as well as being informed by the comments and views of service users.

The course is taught by expert practitioners in mental health intensive care who provide and develop services across psychiatric intensive care, low and medium secure facilities as well as forensic services. The course teachers are drawn from a range of professional backgrounds including Psychology, Nursing, Occupational Therapy and Medicine. Teaching staff work across a number of different organisations including NHS, private sector and academic institutions.

Issues explored within the course include -

§         Incorporating recovery approaches within intensive care.

§         Successful engagement.

§         Practical provision of talking treatments.

§         Person centred risk assessment and management.

§         Supporting users thinking about medication

§         Social, environmental and ethical considerations

§         Looking beyond violence and aggression.

§         Understanding the needs of staff.

The course is being developed as a web based learning programme in order that staff from many Mental Health Intensive Care environments across the country will eventually be able to access a high quality of evidenced based, current thinking about innovative and cutting edge approaches to providing Intensive care.

For any further information please contact Damien Brennan: d.brennan@napicu.org.uk