Our Team
At the Glynnview our interdisciplinary team brings together a variety of specialist fields to craft holistic and comprehensive treatment for all our patients. Weekly meetings are held where treating specialists have the opportunity to discuss concerns regarding a patient. This ensures good communication and an integrated understanding of the presenting problem. In addition, suggestions and insights are contributed by the wider interdisciplinary team to ensure that all perspectives are considered, and that the best treatment plan is followed. In this way each treating specialist is held to the highest standards of mental health care.Psychiatrist
A Psychiatrist is a medical doctor, who has specialised in the field of Psychiatry. Because Psychiatrists have a medical training, they can examine, diagnose and treat patients with medical illness that can lead to mental problems. Psychiatrists are also trained in psychotherapy and therefore are able to treat patients through psychotherapeutic interventions. Psychiatrists can prescribe Medication and Psychotherapy to treat Mental Illness (SASOP). Psychologist
A psychologist is able to diagnose and treat the various psychological aspects of psychiatric disorders. A psychologist has extensive training in human thinking, feeling and behaviour, and is skilled in forming a deep understanding of the particular challenges that an individual may face. In a safe and non-judgmental environment, there may be an opportunity for emotional release, processing difficult feelings and building a stronger base for a fulfilled and happy life. The psychologist is able to offer insights based on a combination of well-researched theories, experience and an in-depth understanding of the patient’s particular challenges. The patient may also have the opportunity to develop more helpful coping strategies and to be supported in the process of implementing them. Psychometrist
The role of the psychometrist (a member of Psychometry Services) in the hospital setting is to administer and score applicable psychological tests that form part of the patient’s mental status. The Psychometrist will administer and score a number of complex standardised test instruments appropriate for specific age and clinical populations. The assessment services, provided by Psychometry Services, form a part of the interdisciplinary process of clinical assessments in the hospital setting. Patients are referred to Psychometry services by their psychiatrists.Social Worker
Social workers are responsible for helping individuals, families, and groups of people to cope with problems they’re facing to improve their patients’ lives. One aspect of this is teaching skills and developing mechanisms for patients to rely on to better their lives and experiences. Social workers are also familiar with, and refer clients to, community resources. They address legal issues, such as assisting with hearings and providing testimony relating to their patients. Services that mental health and substance abuse social workers provide include individual and group counselling, intervening during crises, case management, client advocacy, prevention, and education. They also focus on counselling families to assist in understanding and dealing with the patient’s problems.Occupational Therapist (OT)
Occupational Therapy is a skilled treatment that helps individuals achieve independence necessary for independent and satisfying lives. Within the psychiatric setting, an OT may assist anyone with a permanent or temporary impairment in their physical or mental functioning. Occupational Therapists help with rehabilitation of neuropsychological deficits including memory and attention as well as motor function, sensory function, and interpersonal skills. They look at whether a patient’s day exists of meaningful, purposeful activities that provide that person with a satisfactory life, and assist in finding a variety of tasks that could bring meaning to life. Because work is a big part of an adult’s life, they assisting addressing any problems that a patient might have at work.Physiotherapist
A Physiotherapist assesses, treats and manages a wide variety of injuries including ailments from the fields of orthopaedics, neurology, respiratory and thoracic, cardio-vascular, obstetrics, sports medicine, paediatrics, geriatrics, intensive care units and general rehabilitation. Other medical fields and community care also falls within the scope of physiotherapy. Many patients are hospitalised with undue stress, and within the hospital setting, the physio may help with stress relief. They are also skilled at helping with pain management. The physiotherapist leads the morning gym session. Dietitian
A Dietitian is an expert on diet and nutrition, allowing them to establish and implement the guidelines of maintaining healthy nutritional practises for all individuals. Dietitians create safe and healthy meal plans for patients based on special dietary needs, such as diabetes or eating disorders, and the desired health outcomes. Dietitians who work in medical settings make frequent contact with doctors and nurses to gather background information needed to treat patients. Dietetics professionals often counsel patients to make sensible food choices once they have been released from medical care.
Psychiatric Nurses and Care Givers
The psychiatric nurses and care givers become the primary carers within the hospital setting. They create and maintain the caring and supportive environment to which a patient is entrusted. Psychiatric nurses use their expertise in mental health, crisis intervention, therapy and medications to help patients master mental illness and the stigma that surrounds it so that they can live fulfilling and productive lives. Nurses who work in the field of mental health assist physicians with patient interventions. These interventions are carried out to assess a patient’s dysfunction or illness, improve their coping and behavioural skills, and prevent further illness. During this process, nurses help with the management of a therapeutic environment by assisting patients with self-care, administering medication, and monitoring treatments. On a daily basis, mental health nurses perform routine duties like assessing patients’ mental health needs, developing and implementing treatment plans, and evaluating patient care.
Speech Therapist
A Speech Therapist specialises in human communication and any abnormality or pathology associated with it. An individual's hearing ability or awareness and perception of sound, is also of the utmost importance for successful communication between individuals. A speech therapist is focused on the assessment and remediation of speech disorders e.g. articulation problems, stuttering, cleft lip and palate, delayed language development and problems after a stroke.
Neurologist
A neurologist is a medical doctor who specialises in treating diseases that affect the human nervous system. Since the brain is the central command of the human body, the diseases affecting it have a significant negative impact on health and normal functioning. A neurologist is a doctor who is highly trained in recognising the early symptoms of nervous dysfunction, establishing its cause, the exact location of the problem and its potential treatment. Neurologists also treat peripheral nerve diseases, which may result in loss of muscle function, loss of tactile perception, loss of sensitivity to pain or temperature and even speech or eyesight impairment. Another major disease that is addressed by neurologists is epilepsy, and it affects almost one percent of the general population at some point during their lives. In addition to a patient examination, neurologists order diagnostic tests to identify neurological disorders. The doctor may order blood tests and analysis of the patient’s spinal fluid. Imaging tests include magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography and single photon emission computed tomography. Neurologists may also order a biopsy and other diagnostic tests -- such as electroencephalography, or EEG to detect and identify neurological and central nervous system disorders.
