Most patients treated by the Kensington & Chelsea Older People Community Mental Health Team will have short-term mental health issues and after a period of weeks or months they will be referred back to their general practitioner (GP) when their condition has improved. A small minority, however, who need specialist care will remain with the team for a longer period for ongoing treatment, care and monitoring.

Community mental health teams (CMHTs) have three key functions in providing mental health care for older people:

• To give advice to other professionals on the management of mental health problems – in particular, providing advice to primary care, such as GP surgeries, and making sure appropriate referrals are made.
• Providing treatment and care for those with short-term mental health issues who can benefit from specialist interventions.
• Providing treatment and care for those with more complex needs.

CMHTs have access to a range of specialist therapies available to older people.