Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust have launched a new joint education programme bringing together their Mental Health Nurses and District Nurses to improve services for older people across the county.

The programme will focus on sharing knowledge and skills, so our mental health nurses can develop a better understanding of some common, but serious physical health conditions such as diabetes, heart failure and respiratory problems and our District Nurses are in a better position to be able to identify mental health problems and can subsequently refer their patients to their GP or local specialist mental health services.

It is well documented through extensive research that poor physical health, or poorly managed chronic conditions can lead to social isolation, anxiety and depression. It is now hoped that this will strengthen and Mental Health Nurses  District Nurses expertise in managing people with physical and mental health problems.