Community Rehabilitation Team

We are a team of doctors, social workers, nurses, support workers, administration workers, occupational
therapists and psychologists.

We offer care and treatment to people in the Scottish Borders who have severe and enduring mental health illness (e.g. schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder) which impacts on many aspects of their day to day lives.

The Rehabilitation Service specialises in working closely in an outreach model with people to help them live a full and enjoyable life, even if the symptoms of their illness have not fully responded to treatment. We offer a multidisciplinary approach and make sure that patients views are respected at all times.

You will probably already be supported by one of the Community Adult Mental Health teams who will have
discussed making a referral to our service with you.

They will have felt that you would benefit from help and support not only to manage your mental illness, but also to look at how your illness impacts on other aspects of your life e.g. your self care needs, your relationships, work opportunities and social activities/interests.

The team provides community based support and individual care packages. You will have a key worker from the team who will work with you to discuss and agree what treatment and support will be helpful to you. There are a number of ways that this can be offered.

These include:

• monitoring of mental health and social functioning
• ensuring people are on the most effective and suitable medicines available
• occupational therapy to help people reach their maximum level of function and independence
• emotional and practical support and advice for carers and families
• helping people to become more involved in social activities
• psychological therapies
• networking with voluntary sector and other agencies e.g. Housing and/or Welfare Benefits

The information you share with us will be treated as confidential. However, as we work as a team, some aspects of your care will be discussed with other members of the team. We may also have contact with your community mental health team and GP to let them know about our work together. If there are any pieces of information you do not wish to be shared, this will be respected, except in cases where your safety or the safety of others is at risk.