Mental Health Services are a multidisciplinary team based in Vaenta in Kirkwall, offering a community based service to the whole of Orkney. The service comprises of:
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
- Community Mental Health Team (Adult and Older Adult teams).
- Orkney Drugs and Alcohol Team.
- Community Learning Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder Nursing Service.
- All Age Nurse Led Psychiatric Liaison Team.
We provide a service, for all ages, for those experiencing problems with their mental health, substance misuse or memory. An open referral system is in operation and any referrals received by the service are triaged and allocated to the most appropriate worker for that case. Alternatively, it may be appropriate for the referral to be signposted to other services that may best meet the needs of the individual.
The team works primarily with people with who have complex, acute and/or enduring mental health needs. Mental Health Services work closely with a range of services including Psychological Therapies, Orkney Blide Trust, Age Scotland Orkney, Relationship Scotland Orkney etc.
It is important to enable the person using the service to identify their strengths and the sources of support that are available to them. Members of the Mental Health Services work in partnership with the service user, their family and loved ones, where appropriate, to look at the problems or difficulties that they are experiencing, and to assess the effects that these mental health problems are having on their life.
Treatment packages are based on sound evidence based practice and may encompass social care, medical treatments, psychological therapies and practical help.
The team also hosts a substance misuse service which is staffed by community mental health nurses and support workers. Information on referral for residential rehabilitation can be found here.
Confidentiality is central to the services work and in the relationships with those using the service. All team members undertake supervision sessions to monitor update and develop their practice. Ongoing training of the team members is encouraged to facilitate up to date care delivery to be provided.
Contact Information
Mental Health Services, Vaenta, Scapa Crescent, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1RL.
Telephone: 01856888280.
- The Community Mental Health Team can be contacted during office hours (9 am to 5 pm) on 01856 888280. Email: Service Manager – Mental Health
- Community Psychiatric Nurse Out of Hours can be contact made through The Balfour Switchboard on 01856 888000.
- The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service can be contacted on 01856 888950. Email: ork.camhs@nhs.scot.
Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services
Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Orkney is dedicated to providing community-based support for children and young people up to 18 years facing severe and enduring mental health conditions.
CAMHS team operates as a dynamic, patient-centered, values-driven multidisciplinary unit, benefitting from the expertise of a diverse range of professionals and stakeholders.
Our accomplishments in recruiting a diverse team with a broad spectrum of clinical skills have empowered us to offer services at the local level, ensuring accessibility for our patients and their families.
We operate collaboratively within a multidisciplinary framework, working alongside various agencies to assess and treat children and their families with mental health conditions, extending our support to the wider community.
Referrals to CAMHS services can be initiated by GPs, guidance teachers, and social workers.
All referral forms and inquiries can be directed to ork.camhs@nhs.scot and urgent referrals and inquiries can be discussed promptly on 01856888950.