Health

Medway Council's social workers work within integrated mental health teams, with consultant psychiatrists, community mental health nurses and other health professionals. They are part of the Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (www.kmpt.nhs.uk/Home).

In Medway these integrated mental health teams are primarily based in three sites in Gillingham, Chatham and Rochester. The teams are locality focused and provide a single point of entry for assessment, treatment and continuing care, both on an in-patient and outpatient basis. Support is also given to carers.

There are also other day services provided by the trust:

• Day resources
  Three drop-in centres aim to offer an informal and relaxed atmosphere for people with a mental health problem. Activities such as computing, gardening and craftwork are available, as well as hot meals and drinks.
• Therapeutic workshops
  The Chaucer Centre in Gillingham offers a range of therapeutic workshops, including woodwork, computing, silkscreen printing and horticultural activities. Other groups meet for gardening and leisure activities.
• Community support scheme
  This scheme supports people with a long-term mental health problem to live with maximum possible independence within their own homes. The aim is to prevent people from needing residential care or admission to an acute hospital bed.
• Respite care service
  This service offers people respite care within their own home while regular carers have a holiday, go into hospital or take some kind of break from caring. This allows a minimum of disruption for the people they care for.

Books can help

Almost everyone experiences distress and emotional or psychological difficulties at some point in their life. Reading self-help books is one way of learning to cope with or adjust to your situation. Working in partnership with the Medway NHS Primary care trust, Medway libraries have compiled a collection of books to help you.

Find out more about the Books Can Help scheme The books can be reserved at any library in Medway or by using the online catalogue. You will need a library card to borrow books but it is free to join and you only need to show one proof of address to get a card.

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