PCMH is a partnership of three organisations:

• Sheffield Health Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
• Primary Care Sheffield
• Sheffield Mind

We work together to streamline assessment and referral processes, so you only need to come through our “front door” once. From there, we’ll direct you to the most appropriate part of the mental health system for your needs.

We also bridge the gap between NHS Talking Therapies and Community Mental Health Teams (CMHT), ensuring everyone can access the right treatment at the right time.

PCMH is organised into local networks across Sheffield. Each network has a team made up of professionals from the NHS and voluntary sector, working together as one community healthcare team to deliver the best possible support. 

Every person has a personalised care plan that considers mental health, physical health, and social needs. With your consent, we work closely with your GP surgery to offer: 

• A range of choices tailored to your needs 

• Physical health checks 

• Support with diet, exercise, sleep, and quitting smoking 

• Help to join community activities 

• Mental health skills and information courses 

• Medication reviews and advice 

• Employment support 

• Advice and signposting to other services 

Eligible People:

• Those aged 18 and over
• Mental illness consistent with SMI presentation for 6 months plus, or an established SMI diagnosis (likely on GP SMI registers with bi-polar disorder, characteristics of personality disorder diagnosis, eating disorders, psychosis, long term depression, schizophrenia or other complex needs)
• Willing to make positive changes ready to engage with community activity and/or local services
• Able to engage in goal setting, identifying own barriers to involvement and recognising appropriateness of services they wish to engage
• Able to use (or recognise) any coping mechanisms and grounding techniques which can support their involvement in new groups/service
• Able to manage their own safety between appointments and without the need for assertive follow up
• Registered with a Sheffield GP

Not Eligible:

• Those under 18 years of age
• Requiring a same day or urgent appointment (refer to crisis pathway)
• Chaotic/complex lifestyle factors which present clear barriers to achieving set goals
• Recent psychiatric hospital discharge
• Already receiving mental health treatment from other NHS providers
• Has statutory agencies involved which require reports and attendance at meetings
• Has legal restrictions such as the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act or Care Act

Step One – Speak to Your GP 

Start by talking to your GP about how you’ve been feeling. Your GP will discuss the options available and, if it’s agreed that PCMH is the right service for you, they can arrange an initial conversation with a member of our team. 

This first conversation is called a Screening Appointment. 

Step Two – An initial conversation with us 

This is a confidential 30-minute phone call with an experienced mental health professional (such as a nurse, occupational therapist, or social worker). Reasonable adjustments can be arranged, please request these when booking. 

What to expect: 

• It is not part of your treatment but a way to make sure you can get the right help. 

• You’ll receive confirmation of the date and time by post, email, or SMS. 

• Before the call, we’ll send you a short survey to help us understand your needs. 

You only need to share what you feel comfortable with. Our aim is to understand your goals and how we can best support you. We know talking about your situation can feel difficult, so please take your time. Please be ready for our call and find a safe, quiet space to talk if your appointment is virtual.  

Step Three – Recommendations 

At the end of your initial conversation, you will receive recommendations for your next steps. You may be offered one of these options: 

1. To work with one or more professionals from our team to plan your treatment. You will be given information of what to expect from the service or services, and an estimate  of when this is likely to start.  
2. To be provided with information about local support services you can access yourself, when you are ready to.
3. To be referred or supported to access somewhere better placed to meet your needs. We will explain the next steps with you at the end of the call. The outcome of this will be fed back to your GP.

Step Four – Treatment 

You will have an agreed number of sessions with one or more of our team. 

All help we offer is based on evidence about what meets the needs of people with serious mental illness. 

During your treatment you will be asked to fill out a short survey to let us know how you feel. Your answers help us see how treatment makes a difference to your quality of life. 

Step Five – Feedback 

We would appreciate your feedback so we can improve. You will receive a text with a link to some questions. Please spare five minutes to help us improve our service. 

Your consent to our input with your care is really important and should be obtained by your GP if they refer you to our team. Your GP should only refer you to us with your consent. 

We may also ask you for further consent to refer you to other services who may be able to help you.   

We could also ask for your consent or to share your information with wider services involved in your care, support, and treatment. This is to help us to work more effectively with other organisations involved in your care to ensure we are all working towards the best outcomes for you. You may change or withdraw your consent at any time. 

Introduction to Primary Community Mental Health – (BSL) British Sign Language Information

PCMH Crisis Contacts – (BSL) British Sign Language Information

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