Introduction

Initially released in 2017, ‘CR207: Safe Patients and High Quality Services – a guide for consultant psychiatrists’ aimed to create a guide for job planners, setting out parameters for the provision and delivery of services in each of the psychiatric specialties.

Job plans can vary considerably between sub-specialties – by inviting each faculty to contribute, this document should give a clear guide as to what is expected in their psychiatric specialty. The updated document also moves away from the focus on consultant psychiatrists and should be considered for all psychaitrists.

Jobs will differ depending on many factors – location, service model and the population served being just a few – this document can serve as a starting point to ensure the correct components of the job description are accounted for.

There is a clear expectation and demand from patients and carers for more time from their psychiatrists, and for the relationship to be one of partnership and co-production. The psychiatrist plays a key role in understanding the patient’s diagnosis and formulation, their needs and wishes, and the adaptations and treatments that might be needed to allow the patient to achieve those. To undertake this work to a satisfactory standard the psychiatrist requires sufficient time to spend with their patients.

Patients with more complex needs and those who present a significant risk to themselves or others should have the support of a psychiatrist in their assessment, care planning and, where appropriate, ongoing care. Again, psychiatrists need to have sufficient training and time to undertake this important work. The guidance set out in this document is designed to help psychiatrists and service managers determine how to meet these aspirations within the resources available.