The South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) Neuropsychiatry Service provides specialist assessment and treatment for psychiatric needs associated with neurological and neurosurgical conditions. This includes Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) when a person needs support beyond what can be offered by local services.
The service works across several locations and offers outpatient, day hospital and inpatient care. It is a specialist, tertiary service: the published criteria say that people should usually have had local input before referral. It does not provide urgent, crisis or community care, so local services may need to remain involved.
FND support and treatment
The service lists several forms of FND-related support. Which options may be suitable depends on the person’s needs and an assessment by the clinical team.
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Outpatient treatment: Specialist cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is available at the Maudsley Hospital for people assessed as suitable. SLaM also lists specialist neurophysiotherapy for motor symptoms such as limb weakness and movement disorders.
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FiND day hospital programme: The Functional Integrated Neurological Disorders programme is a group rehabilitation service at Bethlem Royal Hospital, bringing together approaches from psychiatry, psychology and physiotherapy. The service page says the programme is currently being adjusted, so its format and availability should be checked with SLaM.
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Inpatient treatment: The Lishman Unit at New Douglas Bennett House provides specialist inpatient care for some people with severe, disabling FND. Following an assessment, treatment may involve physiotherapy, occupational therapy, clinical psychology, speech and language therapy, and medical and nursing support. SLaM notes that waiting times can be lengthy.
SLaM also lists a pilot FND psychoeducation group for people diagnosed with FND and their carers. Please check with the service to ask whether it is currently running.
Referral information
The Neuropsychiatry Service is mainly for adults aged 18 to 65, although referrals for people over 65 may be considered individually. The service’s published criteria say that referrals should involve identified neurological and mental health needs, with local services having provided input first.
The service page gives a clinical referral process. It asks the referring professional to submit its referral form with relevant clinical information, such as recent clinic letters and investigation results. If you think this service may be relevant, speak with your GP, neurologist or current care team about whether a referral is appropriate.
Contact details
Telephone: 020 3228 2330
Email:
Locations: Multiple sites across South London
For the latest eligibility, referral and programme information, see the SLaM Neuropsychiatry Services page.