Ongoing General Psychiatry Care: Information and Next Steps
Welcome
Thank you for choosing WMI Psychiatry for your General Psychiatry assessment. This page provides information to help you understand the next steps and the support available to you.
We aim to make ongoing mental health care clear, safe and straightforward. This includes information about how treatment and follow up works within our service and answers some common questions about what happens next.
Your Mental Health Journey
Every person’s journey is different, but treatment usually follows the pathway below:
Diagnosis → Medication Titration → Treatment Stable → Ongoing Reviews
Your clinician will work with you to develop a treatment plan that is appropriate for your individual needs.
Prescriptions
During Medication Titration
Follow up appointments are advised to take place every 4 weeks until the dose of medication is stable, but can take place more frequently if needed.
The length of titration varies between individuals. Some people reach a stable dose quickly whilst others require more time.
Medication dose adjustments must be done at appointments.
Prescriptions can only be issued monthly until the dose of mediation is stable. Once medication is deemed to be stable by your clinician, there is the option for prescriptions to only need to be requested every three months.
Requesting Prescriptions
To request a prescription, please contact the clinic by phone or email and we will email you a prescription request form for you to complete.
The following is required before a repeat prescription can be provided if the medication dose is not stable yet:
A follow up consultation booked within the next 4 weeks.
We recommend requesting prescriptions at least 7 days before your medication is due to run out.
Prescriptions usually take between 3 – 7 working days to be processed depending on how you wish to collect it.
We do have the options for urgent prescriptions, which are aimed to be processed within 24 hours, but this has a £25 upfront fee.
If you are getting your medication delivered for free from Sedgley Park Pharmacy then please contact them on 0161 773 2750 to arrange payment and delivery of the medication.
Follow Up Appointments
Regular reviews are an important part of Psychiatric treatment.
These appointments allow us to:
Assess symptom improvement
Monitor side effects
Review physical health measurements
Consider medication adjustments
Once the medication dose is stable, review appointments are required every 3 months for patients under 18 years of age and every 6 months for those aged 18 years and older.
Failure to attend review appointments may result in discharge from the clinic as these review appointments are required by national guidelines.
If someone is discharged and books an appointment within the next month then they can be readmitted with a £25 administrative fee. If they do not get back to us within that timeframe then they may need to attend a full General Psychiatry assessment again.
Cancellations or changes to an appointment need to be made at least two working days before your appointment or the appointment may need to be paid in full.
Side Effects and Concerns
Please contact the clinic if you experience any concerning side effects from your medication. This can be done by phone or by email.
Please ensure to write ‘URGENT’ in the subject of your email if you need a reply within one working day.
Please seek urgent medical attention by contacting 999 or attending your local Accident and Emergency Department if you experience a medical emergency. WMI Psychiatry is not an emergency service.
Non-Medication Support
Many people benefit from additional support alongside medication.
Examples include:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Person Centred Therapy (PCT)
Structured Clinical Management (SCM)
School or workplace adjustments
Support Letters
Feel free to discuss this with your clinician or contact our administrative team if you need any additional support.
How You Can Help Us Support You
Successful ADHD treatment works best when there is a partnership between you and your clinical team. There are several things you can do to help us provide safe, effective and timely care:
Attend scheduled appointments
If you are unable to attend an appointment, let us know as soon as possible
Request prescriptions in good time
Provide monitoring information when requested
Tell us about side effects or concerns
Keep your details up to date
Follow medication advice
Ask questions
Early communication often allows concerns to be addressed more quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need medication?
Not necessarily. Treatment recommendations are based on your individual needs. Some people benefit from medication, some benefit from psychological therapy and others benefit from a combination of approaches.
What Should I Do If I Miss A Dose?
This depends on the medication you are taking. Please refer to the patient information leaflet supplied with your medication or contact the clinic if you are unsure.
Can I Drink Alcohol Whilst Taking Psychiatric Medication?
Alcohol can interact with Psychiatric medications and may increase side effects or worsen mental health symptoms. Please discuss alcohol use with your clinician and follow the advice provided for your specific medication.
How long does psychiatric treatment usually last?
This varies considerably between individuals. Some people require support for a relatively short period of time, whilst others benefit from longer-term treatment and monitoring. Your clinician will discuss this with you as your treatment progresses.
What should I do if my symptoms worsen?
Please contact the clinic if your symptoms worsen or if you have concerns about your mental health. We will advise you regarding the most appropriate next steps. If you are at immediate risk of harm to yourself or others, you should contact 999, attend your nearest Accident and Emergency Department or contact your local Crisis Team.
Can I stop my medication if I feel better?
Many psychiatric medications should not be stopped suddenly. If you are considering stopping medication, please discuss this with your clinician first so that a safe plan can be agreed.
What should I do if I experience side effects?
Please contact the clinic if you experience side effects from your medication. Your clinician can advise whether the medication should be adjusted, changed or continued.
Contacting WMI Psychiatry
For clinical queries, prescription requests and appointment enquiries, please contact the clinic by email or phone. Our contact details are as follows:
Phone: 0161 515 9458
Email: admin@wmipsychiatry.com
Please note:
We aim to respond to enquiries as promptly as possible.
Response times may vary depending on clinical workload.
Prescription requests are not processed outside normal working arrangements.
WMI Psychiatry is not an emergency service.
If you are at immediate risk of harm to yourself or others, please contact 999, attend your nearest Accident and Emergency Department or contact your local Crisis Team.
Final Thoughts
Seeking support for your mental health is an important step and we appreciate the trust you have placed in our team.
Mental health difficulties can affect many aspects of daily life, relationships, education, work and overall wellbeing. Whilst recovery looks different for everyone, effective treatment and support can often lead to meaningful improvements in symptoms, functioning and quality of life.
We look forward to supporting you throughout your treatment journey.