Older Adults Psychiatry

Working in Older Adult Mental Health Services at GMMH

Older Adult Mental Health Services at Greater Manchester Mental Health offer Consultant Psychiatrists the opportunity to deliver holistic, person-centred care, integrating physical, psychological and social aspects of health. Working with older people allows Consultants to make a visible and lasting difference whilst supporting functional recovery, autonomy and dignity, and helping people maintain quality of life and independence for as long as possible.

A defining feature of Older Adult Psychiatry is the depth of professional fulfilment that comes from building long-term therapeutic relationships with service users and their families. Consultants work closely with carers, often over extended periods, providing continuity of care and expert clinical leadership through complex and evolving presentations. Consultants in older adult services work within well-established multidisciplinary teams, collaborating closely with Mental Health Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Psychologists, Physiotherapists and Social Care colleagues. There is also strong integration with primary care supporting a genuinely integrated approach to care for older people with complex needs.

Services typically span community mental health teams, inpatient wards, memory assessment services, care home liaison and crisis or home treatment models. Consultants work with a diverse service user population aged 65 and over, as well as individuals with early-onset dementia, supporting people with affective disorders, psychosis, anxiety disorders, cognitive impairment and delirium. Many services cover both urban and rural localities, serving communities with a wide range of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.

Opportunities for Consultants

GMMH offers Consultants in older adult services the chance to shape and influence how care is delivered. There are opportunities to take on leadership roles in developing and improving service models across community, inpatient, memory and crisis services, and to contribute to strategic discussions as services continue to evolve toward more integrated, age-inclusive models of care.

Teaching and training are integral to Consultant roles, with opportunities to support medical students, core trainees, higher trainees and multidisciplinary colleagues. Consultants are also encouraged to engage in research and quality improvement, particularly in areas such as dementia care, frailty, polypharmacy, neuropsychiatry and integrated physical and mental healthcare.

Why Join Older Adult Services at GMMH?

Our older adult services are supported by strong clinical governance and experienced, collaborative multidisciplinary teams. Caseloads are designed to allow time for high-quality, person-centred care, enabling Consultants to work thoughtfully with complexity rather than feeling driven by volume alone.

Consultants have access to special interest sessions aligned to their expertise and interests, including areas such as neuropsychiatry, neuroradiology, liaison psychiatry and ECT. GMMH actively supports continuing professional development through protected CPD time, study leave funding and structured career development support.

Work–life balance is prioritised, with flexible working patterns and part-time arrangements available where possible. There is a clear emphasis on staff wellbeing, with access to supervision, peer support networks and a culture that values compassion for both service users and colleagues. Leadership, innovation and service development are recognised and encouraged, offering Consultants real scope to shape the future of older adult mental health services locally.

Qualifications and Experience

Consultant posts in older adult services require CCT (or within six months of completion) in Old Age Psychiatry and GMC registration. Section 12(2) Approval and Approved Clinician status are required, or eligibility to obtain them. Successful applicants will demonstrate a strong commitment to multidisciplinary teamworking, leadership and quality improvement, alongside experience in risk management, safeguarding and capacity assessments. Empathy, patience and excellent communication skills are essential for working effectively with older people, their families and carers.