Older people's community mental health team

  • We support older people with mental health needs that cannot be fully met by their GP or other services. This includes assessment, treatment, therapy and signposting. We also assess and treat people with memory problems who cannot attend the Devon memory service, and offer short-term post-diagnostic support and signposting. For those with a dementia diagnosis who are experiencing emotional or behavioural changes, we provide tailored assessment, support and signposting to help manage these difficulties.

  • How we can help

    How we can help

    We offer short-term mental health support based on your individual needs. This usually includes an assessment, diagnosis, treatment and access to therapy and, where helpful, information or referrals to other services.

    Most people stay with our service until their immediate needs are met and they feel more stable and able to cope.

  • How to get help

    How to get help

    You will be referred to our service by your GP or another health professional. Your appointment will take place at a local outpatient clinic or, if needed, in your own home.

  • East Devon
    St John's Court
    St John's Road
    Exmouth
    EX8 4DD
    01395 220 122
  • East Devon
    Haydons Court
    Marlpits Lane
    Honiton
    EX14 2DE
    01395 220 122
  • Exeter
    Knightshayes
    Whipton Hospital
    4 Hospital Lane
    Exeter
    EX1 3RB
    01392 208 390
  • Mid-Devon
    Crediton Hospital
    Western Road
    Crediton
    EX17 3NH
    01363 771 104
  • Mid-Devon
    Tiverton Hospital
    Kennedy Way
    Tiverton
    EX16 6NT
    01884 235 720
  • North Devon
    Abbotsvale
    Bideford Hospital
    Abbotsham Road
    Bideford
    EX39 3AG
    01237 427 711
  • South Hams and West Devon
    The Quay
    Plymouth Road
    Tavistock
    PL19 8AB
    01822 813 090
  • South Hams and West Devon
    Totnes Hospital
    Coronation Road
    Totnes
    TQ9 5GH
    01803 869 488
  • South Hams and West Devon
    8 Fore Street
    Ivybridge
    PL21 9AB
    01803 869 488
  • Teignbridge
    Estuary House
    Collett Way
    Brunel Industrial Estate
    Newton Abbot
    TQ12 4PH
    01626 203 516
  • Torbay
    Health and Wellbeing Clinic
    Chadwell Centre
    Torquay Road
    Paignton
    TQ3 2DW
    01803 396 518

Your assessment

At your first appointment, we will talk with you about your current situation and carry out an assessment of your mental health needs. This is an important step in understanding what support you might need from us, and possibly from other services too.

The appointment usually takes between one and two hours. Your care plan will be made together with you, to make sure the support suits your individual needs. If you would like, you can include a family member, friend or carer in this process

Care homes

We also work with care homes to support residents experiencing mental health problems. There are two ways to refer someone, depending on the type of support they need.

1. If a care home resident has a diagnosis of dementia and is experiencing complex behavioural and psychological symptoms (BPSD), the care home can refer directly to us. Care home specialist staff will offer advice, guidance and interventions.

To make a referral please complete and return the Care home education service referral form [docx] 38KB*

This information may be helpful, especially if thinking about making a referral:

2. Residents with a history of functional mental illness, such as depression, anxiety disorders or psychotic illnesses, or showing new signs of deteriorating mental health, should first be seen by their GP. The GP will decide whether a referral to us is appropriate.

* We are aware that the referral form is not fully accessible. Some elements, such as tables or other content may not be fully compatible with screen readers or other assistive technologies. Please contact us if you require it in another format.

Social care

If a social care assessment or a review of an existing care package is needed, we will refer you to adult social care, who will provide this.