We are committed to providing the best care and support for you not only for your mental health but your physical wellbeing too.
People with mental health problems and learning disabilities are at increased risk of developing physical illness, especially heart disease and diabetes. This is due to a combination of factors including the effects of medication, smoking and lack of exercise.
Physical health problems can often affect your mental health so that is why we want to ensure we offer you the right support and help in order for a speedy recovery.
Why is physical health important?
Whether on the ward or in the community, the team need to get a good idea of how healthy you are when you first come into hospital and may need to monitor your physical health throughout your stay. This is important, as sometimes physical health conditions may be causing or contributing to your mental health symptoms. Therefore assessing your physical health is just as important as assessing your mental health.
- It helps us to identify and treat any early signs of physical health problems you may have.
- It helps us to prevent or treat any physical health problems associated with medicines you take for your mental health condition.
- We may need to continue with any care and treatment you may have been getting from your family doctor or another hospital service before you came into hospital.
- We can help by putting you in touch with a GP if you do not already have one..