Information leaflet about the Physical Health Monitoring Clinic in the Plessey Centre, Blyth; including services offered, who the clinic is for and how to be referred.

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This leaflet provides you with information that you will find useful whilst attending the Physical Health Monitoring Clinic. If you are not sure about anything in this leaflet please ask a member of staff.

The Physical Health Monitoring Clinic is based within various community settings across Northumberland. You will be invited to attend your nearest service.

The services provided at the clinic are as follows:

  • Clozapine Monitoring and Initiation
  • Phlebotomy
  • Lithium Monitoring and Initiation
  • HDAT Monitoring
  • Depot Injection Administration
  • Physical Health Monitoring
  • ECG

The services provided by the Physical Health Monitoring Clinic support your overall treatment plans.

We would appreciate if you could attend for your appointment time, as this will allow us to manage numbers and avoid overcrowding in waiting areas.

When you arrive in the Physical Health Monitoring Clinic, you will meet one of our members of the team, who work within the department. They will explain what will happen during the time you may be in receipt of our services.

  • Please note that referral to any of our clinics will need to be made through your care co-ordinator or your Consultant Psychiatrist.
  • The clinic staff liaise closely with your Care Co-ordinator, your Consultant Psychiatrist, your GP and any others that you may have contact with in the community.
  • The Physical Health Monitoring Clinic provides services for out-patients.
  • Staff at the Physical Health Monitoring Clinic will be happy to provide information to you and/or your carer about any treatment or therapy that may be recommended for you.

People usually attend appointments in the Physical health Monitoring Clinic for approximately 15-60 minutes depending on which service you are receiving.

We offer these services on various days each week. You will be informed by letter of when you are able to attend.

Clozapine Monitoring and Initiation
Clozapine (Denzapine) is an anti-psychotic drug that requires special monitoring, as it has a relatively high risk of causing a serious disorder of the white blood cells (agranulocytosis). The Physical Treatment Centre has direct links to the Denzapine monitoring service (Britannia pharmaceuticals) and St. Nicholas Hospital pharmacy to ensure and maintain a safe service

You can only take Clozapine if your blood count is monitored on a regular basis. Most service users taking Clozapine in Northumberland attend one of the Physical Treatment Centre’s Clinic for:

  • blood sampling
  • side effect monitoring
  • physical health monitoring
  • wellbeing advice, education and information.

 

Phlebotomy

The taking of blood samples as requested by your Consultant Psychiatrist or Care Co-ordinator.

Lithium Monitoring and Initiation
Lithium is used to help treat the symptoms of bipolar affective disorder, it can help make “highs and lows” less extreme or occur less often. It can take some time for Lithium to have its full effect. It may be used on its own or with other medicines. When you first start taking Lithium, there are various tests which need to be done before you commence treatment. There are also ongoing tests/bloods which need to be done 3 monthly. You will also be monitored closely for side effects. Physical health monitoring, wellbeing advice, education and other information will be completed during consultation.

HDAT Monitoring (High Dose Antipsychotic Monitoring)
Sometimes if you are prescribed various different medications you will need to have a specific set of tests/blood samples every 3 months. You will also need to be closely monitored for side effects. Physical health monitoring, wellbeing advice, education and other information will be completed during consultation.

Depot Clinic
Depot injections are administered by a Qualified Mental Health Nurse within the Physical Health Monitoring Clinic located in your local community. You will also need to be closely monitored for side effects. Physical health monitoring, wellbeing advice, education and other information will be completed during consultation.

Physical Health Monitoring
When you have a mental health issue and you are prescribed various different medications you will need various tests/bloods at least once a year. You also need to have your blood pressure, height, weight and BMI recorded during this appointment. You will also need to be closely monitored for side effects. Wellbeing advice, education and other information will be completed during consultation.

ECG (Electrocardiograph)
A monitoring test on your heart that involves the placement of some stickers and leads on your chest area, a reading is taken of the electrical activity in your heart. Depending on the medication you take this will generally need to be performed at least once a year.

Smoking Cessation
Help or support to give up smoking. This service is provided by trained intermediate advisors who may refer on to specialist advisors and community services on discharge.

Interpreters
Staff can arrange an interpreter if you need one.

You need to make your own way to the Physical Health Monitoring Clinic for your appointment. Your Care Co-ordinator will be able to help you to make arrangements if necessary or will be able to help/advise you regarding travel arrangements. Please contact us should you experience any difficulties and we will be happy to try to help resolve them.

If you want to make a comment, suggestion, compliment or complaint you can:

We are always looking at ways to improve services. Your feedback allows us to monitor the quality of our services and act upon issues that you bring to our attention. 
You can provide feedback in the following ways:
- the quickest way for you to do this is to complete our short online survey at www.cntw.nhs.uk/yourvoice
- complete a Your Voice survey, available on wards, reception areas or from staff
- other options for sharing your feedback and experience  www.cntw.nhs.uk/yourfeedback
 
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
PALS provide confidential advice and support, helping you to sort out any concerns that you may have about any aspect of your or your loved ones care.

We act independently when handling patient and family concerns, liaising with staff, managers and, where appropriate, relevant organisations, to negotiate prompt solutions. If necessary, we can also refer patients and families to specific local or national-based support agencies.
 
North of Tyne
Telephone: 0800 032 0202
Email: pals@nhct.nhs.uk
Post: FREEPOST PALS
 
South of Tyne
Telephone: 0800 328 4397
Text: 07825 061 035
Email: pals@cntw.nhs.uk
Post: Patient Advice and Liaison Service, Garden Lodge, Hopewood Park, Ryhope, Sunderland, SR2 0NB
 
9am – 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday
An answerphone is available at all times for you to leave a message. A member of the PALS team will aim to return your call as soon as possible.
 

Pharmacy (Clozapine enquiries)
Telephone: 0191 245 6606
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)
Telephone: 0300 323 0140
Pharmacy Medicines Information Line
Telephone: 0191 245 6604
(Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust)

A full list of references is available on request from the Patient Information Centre Telephone: 0191 246 7288

South Northumberland Community Treatment Team
Plessey Centre
17 Stanley Street
Blyth
Northumberland
NE24 2BZ
Telephone: 01670 798 300

Further information about the content, reference sources or production of this leaflet can be obtained from the Patient Information Centre. If you would like to tell us what you think about this leaflet please get in touch.

This information can be made available in a range of formats on request (eg Braille, audio, larger print, easy read, BSL or other languages). Please contact the Patient Information Centre on telephone 0191 246 7288

Published by the Patient Information Centre
2025 Copyright: Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
Ref: PIC/924/0125 January 2025 V1
Website: www.cntw.nhs.uk
Telephone: 0191 246 7288
Review date 2028