The Department of Psychiatry, Neuropsychiatry & Liaison Psychiatry
Introduction to the Department
This specialised unit at the Princess Grace hospital has a team of consultant psychiatrists, consultant physician, clinical research fellow and a clinical psychologist working in a multi-disciplinary way with a highly skilled and experienced nursing team, physiotherapists and dietician.
The department has the benefit of collaboration with the entire range of medical specialities particularly neuro-gastroenterology, neurology, cardiology, and the brain and spine centre. Visiting specialists provide the expertise needed for comprehensive multidisciplinary patient care. The uniqueness of this department in the independent sector and its progress from early development is due to its provision of intensive one to one treatment with patients with complex co-morbid conditions and those patients who present with acute psychiatric disorders but who may be unsuited for treatment in a stand alone psychiatric hospital. The general medical and surgical environment is ideal for the treatment of people with co-morbid problems. The focus is on individualised care with no group activities. The treatment range might include pharmacotherapy and CBT. ECT may be recommended in special circumstances.
The unit is inappropriate for who patients who might require treatment under the Mental Health Act, but in such situations a transfer may be arranged to professional teams at The Capio Nightingale, The Priory Hospital or a hospital in the NHS.
Whilst the majority of patients are admitted with acute conditions frequently patients with co-morbid medical conditions are admitted after failed treatment at other units and in this respect the department acts as a tertiary referral centres.
Patients must be referred by general practitioners and medical specialists. Funding sources include private medical insurance, foreign embassies, patients self funding and the NHS.
The Multidisciplinary Team
Consultant Psychiatrists
- Dr Gerald W Libby FRCP FRCPsych – Lead Clinician
- Dr Irshaad Ebrahim MSc MRCPsych
- Dr Justin Basquille MRCPsych
- Dr Sherine Mikhail BSc MBBS MRCPsych Dip Criminology
Consultant Physician
- Professor DBA Silk MD FRCP
Visiting Consultant Psychiatrists
- Dr William Shanahan FRCPsych
- Dr Claire Capstick FRCPsych
- Dr George Resek MRCPsych
- Dr John Meehan MRCPsych
Clinical Research Fellowship
The department appoints a clinical research fellow who is actively engaged in clinical research and audit. This forms a core part of the department’s emphasis on evidence-based practice and our goal of adding to the knowledge base of liaison psychiatry. The minimum qualification required for entry into this post is membership of The Royal College of Psychiatrists
24 hour Medical Cover
24 hour cover is provided by a team of experienced specialised Psychiatric registrars, sourced from London’s teaching hospitals, who contribute substantially to the clinical and academic standards of the team and are mentored by the Clinicians.
- Dr Claude Botha MB ChB MRCPsych
- Dr Julius H Bourke MBBS MRCPsych
- Dr Zaza Darwiche MBBS MRCPsych
- Dr Luke Solomons MBBS MRCPsych
Head of Psychological Services
- Dr Jennifer Gomborone BA MSc PhD
Nursing Team
- Departmental Sister
- Katrina Johnson RCpN PG Dip
The nursing team is made-up of a consistent, experienced and highly motivated group. In conjunction with the medical team it provides nursing care that is sensitive, individualised and solution focussed. The team is led by the Departmental Sister. Many of our staff are dual trained and are therefore in a unique position to offer integrated liaison care. This wealth of training and experience supports the multidisciplinary approach.
Allied Health Professionals
- Occupational Therapist
- Physiotherapist
- Dietician
- Clinical Hypnotherapist
