Mental Health Practitioners Join Town’s GP Surgery

The Frome Medical Practice is now one of the very few GP surgeries in the country that is able to offer direct access within the practice to a dedicated mental health professional.

During the last few weeks two new Mental Health Practitioners, Rik Maine and Esther Slee Swanson have taken up posts at the Frome Medical Practice. 

Rik and Esther bring with them many years’ experience, in various mental health settings, working with both adults and children. For both new arrivals, this is the first time that either has worked as a specialist Mental Health Practitioner within a GP surgery.

“Everyone here has been incredibly supportive whilst the new roles are being established,” said Rik. “The patients appear to be welcoming of this innovative approach, and appreciative of the service that we can now provide for young people and adults, as this can be easily accessed here at their local surgery.”

Rik’s colleague Esther is equally pleased to be at her new post.

“We are relatively new and the patients are beginning to have a greater idea of the service that we are now able to offer,’ she said. “I am aware that an increasing number of the community have to cope with rising levels of isolation, anxiety and depression. It is a real privilege to be afforded the opportunity of supporting patients with mental health issues.”

Both Esther and Rik are keen to use technology creatively alongside established interventions to promote self-care for mental health. 

Patients can make appointments to see the two new Mental Health Practitioners either directly or via a referral from one of the GPs at the practice.

Dr Helen Kingston, senior partner at the Frome Medical Practice, said, “Every GP practice is today having to operate under enormous pressure, meeting increasing patient demand with limited or decreasing resources.

“We are however extremely fortunate to be able to directly offer this new service to our patients. Esther and Rik will be working closely with our existing Mental Wellbeing Practitioner, Tracy Glen-Travers. However, I know that both Esther and Rik will be able to make a substantial contribution to the medical care that we aim to provide to all our patients. Everyone here wishes both of them a long and rewarding career here at the Frome Medical Practice.’

Above: Esther Slee Swanson and Rik Maine