Older Persons Mental Health Service

Opening hours

Monday to Friday: 9am to 8pm
Weekends / bank holidays: 9am to 5pm

The Older Persons Mental Health Service ('OPMHS'), is primarily responsible for people over the age of 65 years with mental health problems.

A large part of our work is to offer comprehensive assessments for people who have memory problems. Whilst memory problems become more prevalent as we get older, the service is also open to younger people who might benefit from a memory assessment.

Some memory problems occur as part of the ageing process, and are not related to brain degeneration associated with dementia. The cognitive and mood testing together with a physical examination and history check can help to explain any problems you could be experiencing.

OPMHS provides assessment, diagnosis, treatment and support to clients with 'functional' conditions such as depression and anxiety, schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder, as well as mild cognitive impairment and dementia.

As such, people who have a wide range of mental health problems and diagnoses could be referred to an OPMHS health professional. When the service can accommodate your individual needs, older people and their families will be offered an appropriate level of community support.

OPMHS liaise with the acute inpatient ward, nursing and residential homes and the elderly mentally infirm ('EMI') units on the Island. However, a major part of the role is to promote independence for people in their own homes.

The OPMHS team consists of a consultant psychiatrist, an associate specialist, a clinical nurse specialist, community mental health professionals (nurses and a social worker), registered nurses and support workers, occupational therapists, administration staff and the team manager.

It is often the case that other care agencies and voluntary sector workers could be able to fulfil the needs of particular people with specific problems.