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The Acute, Intensive and Emergency Psychiatric Care course is for anyone working in the area of psychiatry (inpatient, psychiatric intensive care, home treatment teams, liaison psychiatry, or prisons) who wants to further their knowledge and practical skills.

Due to run in March 2027

Booking is expected to open in December 2026

Register interest

Testimonials

  • The opportunity to ask questions and the involvement of patient's first-hand experiences is valuable. I would recommend this course to colleagues/professionals who are working with and/or considering working with those living with a mental health illness. Also healthcare professional students who are considering entering the field of psychiatry. I was inspired to explore the field myself.

    Past student - Acute, Intensive and Emergency Psychiatric Care, 2023/24

  • Great session. This was extremely relevant to both those who work in the Emergency Department and Paediatric Intensive Care Unit. Incredibly grateful for the talks.

    Past student - Acute, Intensive and Emergency Psychiatric Care, 2022/23

  • Very varied sessions which allowed us to bring our own experiences and practices into debates. I feel that I will be more confident going forward when assessing and managing patient with mental health issues.

    Past student - Acute, Intensive and Emergency Psychiatric Care, 2022/23

Acute, Intensive and Emergency Psychiatric Care Course overview

You will be taught by experts in the fields of mental health nursing, psychiatry, pharmacology, and mental health law. Discussions and sharing of experiences and knowledge are encouraged during these sessions.

The course topics include:

  • risk management
  • mental health law
  • physical health
  • substance use
  • pharmacology
  • carer involvement
  • restrictive practices.

This is one of several psychiatry professional development courses offered at City St George's Tooting campus.

Please see example timetable from 2025 here: The full programme

Who is it for?

The learners will be professionals working in the field of acute and emergency psychiatry, such as: psychiatrists (ideally those near the end of their training), senior nursing staff, occupational therapists, pharmacists, and social workers. They could be working in a range of departments, inc.: psychiatric intensive care, liaison and emergency, crisis teams, street triage and forensic services.

Timetable

The course will now take place March 2027. It will be held onsite at the Tooting campus of City St George's, University of London.

Benefits

Experience learning in a collaborative environment where expert instructors from diverse fields lead engaging sessions. Our small group format fosters meaningful discussions, while multidisciplinary teams encourage innovative thinking and real-world problem solving.

What will I learn?

Those successfully completing this course will be able to:

  • identify and describe the patient who requires an increased level of care
  • demonstrate their existing competencies in dealing with acute mental health situations
  • critically evaluate the assessment process
  • synthesise evidence regarding interventions
  • evaluate impact of interventions
  • discuss the application of relevant policy frameworks
  • discuss the application of relevant legal and ethical issues.

Assessment and certificates

This will be delivered on site at the Tooting campus of City St George's, University of London. It is a non-credit bearing course and delegates will receive a certificate of attendance.

How to apply

To apply for for this course, follow these steps:

  1. Check Eligibility: Ensure you meet any prerequisites or eligibility criteria mentioned.
  2. Register: Click on the registration or booking link on the course page.
  3. Payment: Proceed to the payment section to pay the course fee. Ensure you have your payment details ready.
  4. Confirmation: After registering and making payment, you should receive a confirmation email. If you do not receive this, please check your spam/junk folder. Keep the email for your records.
  5. Prepare for the Course: Review any pre-course materials or requirements provided in the confirmation email.

If you encounter any issues or have questions, consider contacting the course provider directly through the contact information available on the website.

Eligibility

Learners should have suitable background knowledge to successfully complete this course. It is best suited to professionals working in the field of acute and emergency psychiatry, such as: psychiatrists (ideally those near the end of their training), senior nursing staff, occupational therapists, pharmacists, and social workers.

English requirements

Candidates must meet City St George’s requirements for English language proficiency.

Tutor

  • Portrait photo of Aileen O'Brien

    Dr Aileen O'Brien

    Reader in Psychiatry and Education

    Aileen is an intensive care psychiatrist, as well as a Reader in Psychiatry and Education. She teaches undergraduate and postgraduate psychiatry, and is the course lead for the postgraduate course in acute and emergency psychiatry.

    Her main research interest currently is in the use of virtual reality in both clinical and student populations. She is the education lead for the National Association of Psychiatric Intensive Care Units (NAPICU). She is also an honorary Consultant Psychiatrist for Burntwood Villas, at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust.

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