Newcastle Hospital

General Information

The Wicklow Mental Health Service has its headquarters at Newcastle Hospital, Greystones, Co Wicklow. The catchment area covers the County  Wicklow coast from Bray to Arklow with a population of about 130,000. It has a mix of urban and rural population. Parts of Bray have a relatively high deprivation index and high rates of psychiatric morbidity

There are 2 general adult teams based in the community with 2 consultants each.  Our community mental health teams provide an integrated evidence-based care to patients using comprehensive multidisciplinary interventions to address the needs of our patients using the skill mix and expertise of the various members of the team.  The general adult service runs clinics in eight different sites and there are three day services, at Newcastle Hospital, Lincara in Bray and Portview in Arklow. All sectors have access to the day servicess.

The acute inpatient service receives patients from Wicklow Mental Health Service and the North Wexford/Gorey sector (population 31000) part of the Wexford Mental Health Services. It is located in Glencree Unit in Newcastle Hospital and has the facility for 24 inpatients. There is also an 18 bedded unit for patients who require long-term care, including care of elderly patients with psychological and behavioural disturbance due to dementia.  There are three medium/low support hostels in the catchment area

Working in Wicklow Mental Health Service will provide trainees with an excellent opportunity to get experience in working with adult patients of all ages in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Trainees gain experience in assessing and managing inpatients and patients in the community through outpatient clinics, day hospitals, nursing home assessments and domiciliary assessment.   Their outpatients work is supported by a standardised documentation for outpatient letters and consultant led review meetings after clinics. There is a strong tradition of multidisciplinary work in our service and trainees will be in a position to learn about the roles of different members and develop professional and interpersonal skill in working in a team. They also partake in the out of hours on call rota.

Management

In addition, trainees will learn about service management and development issues at Clinical Practice Development Form and at the Clinical Director’s weekly meeting. During these meetings trainees will gain knowledge and understanding of the concept of clinical governance and ethical and legal issues relating to psychiatry.

Teaching

We have a stimulating educational programme that comprises consultant led Case Conferences, Journal Clubs (focusing on several areas of training such as critical appraisal, meta-analysis, Cochrane report, Psychiatric management guidelines & review articles) as well as several invited speakers. Trainees are advised to discuss their learning objectives with their educational supervisor to ensure that they achieve their core competencies in line with college requirements. Supervising consultants will help to facilitate their trainees attain these competences.

Psychotherapy

Trainees are encouraged to participate in psychotherapy. One of our consultants is the Postgraduate Course Director for the Cognitive Psychotherapy Courses in Trinity College Dublin. Both Dr Fitzmaurice and one of our psychologists Dr O’Connor provide weekly individual CBT supervision for members of staff in the service.  In addition, we hold regular workshop for “CBT skills for Everyday Practice” supplemented by a monthly group supervision to discuss their experiences of using CBT skills within their clinical roles. Trainees are encouraged to take part in brief psychological interventions such as anxiety management, motivational interviewing and mindfulness based approaches under the supervision of our Clinical Psychologists.

Research and Audit

All Trainees gain a comprehensive understanding of the guiding principles of audit at inductions and encouraged to participate in audit with their educational supervisor.  Trainees will have the opportunity to be involved in the design, organisation and presentation of audit led by their educational supervisor.  Dr Stokes has specific interest in the area is the lead consultant in audit. In addition, trainees are encouraged to participate in research.  There are ongoing opportunities through the PROTECT (Personalised Recovery Orientated Treatment, Education and Cognitive Therapy) and RESTART projects.  Additionally Dr Brophy has ongoing suicide research interests open to trainees.