Treating Unmet Needs in Psychiatry – TUNE-UP Clinic

Service Overview

TUNEUP is a new mental health service that aims to address unmet needs for individuals with psychotic disorders.

The clinic was launched in September 2023 to improve the care of individuals with psychosis and ongoing positive, cognitive, negative, and mental health symptoms.

The clinic is located at the Warneford Hospital in Oxford and is led by Dr Robert McCutcheon.

Who is it for?

We aim to assess and manage adults with:

• Refractory positive psychotic symptoms
• Negative symptoms of schizophrenia
• Cognitive symptoms associated with psychosis
• Antipsychotic Side Effect Burden
• Complex physical health comorbidity

Our Services

We employ a co-working approach with mental health teams within Oxford health:

 

Following referral patients will have a comprehensive assessment of: cognitive function, positive, negative, and affective symptoms, sleep and physical health. This may involve clinical interview, physical assessment, cognitive games, and blood tests.

After the assessment, a management plan is agreed between TUNEUP, the patient, and the referrer.  TUNEUP will then implement this management plan and review effectiveness before discharging back to the referring team.

Progress to Date

In the first year of operation TUNEUP received 49 referrals. Feedback to date from patients has been extremely positive e.g.  “Everyone is caring and kind and took time to talk and is not just an in and out service. This led to good ideas and recommendations”

Our research

Patients attending the clinic may be offered the opportunity to take part in research occurring at the university aimed at improving the treatment of individuals with psychotic disorders.

How to refer

Please either email: tuneup@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk

Or call: 07557166171