Debbie qualified in 1996 and has worked in Walsall since then. She has had various jobs but this current post is her favourite. She is currently the Advanced Nurse Practitioner for Older Peoples Mental Health for Walsall Healthcare NHS trust. This role gives Debbie the balance of staff management and also support a busy caseload. In the last four years, the team has developed into a six-strong nursing team, full-time psychiatrist and admin. The team supported over 100 people a month with various mental health issues. Those with dementia or cognitive impairment also have access to four dementia support workers via pathways for life and Age UK.
We support patients throughout the hospital, preventing admissions into A&E wherever possible. If for whatever reason the patient needs to be admitted to the acute hospital, then the team will support. As a service, we utilise lots of distraction techniques i.e. Namaste, twiddle muffs, activities, tea parties.
