childonlinePeople experiencing mental health problems will now be able to receive specialist psychological advice at home after the launch of the new Psychiatry UK website.

The website, www.psychiatry-uk.com, has been set up by a group of doctors who wanted to provide people with more than the NHS can offer.

Managing partner Jon Chanter said: “People can often wait weeks or months hoping to see a consultant psychiatrist after they’ve first made contact with their GP, and still end up just being sent back to their local surgery.

"While many people still don’t like to discuss mental health, it is a huge issue both for many individuals and for society as a whole. Our website provides a simple, affordable and confidential way of treating patients quickly and in their own homes or offices."

The site has been registered by the Care Quality Commission, illustrating it's aim to "provide people with safe, effective, compassionate and high-quality care at home".

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Clinical lead Dr Andy Montgomery said: “From the very beginning, we set out to offer people the best service available, with UK-registered consultant psychiatrists providing advice to people with mental health issues and their families and friends, in the most efficient way possible.

“With our online service, bookings can be made within just a few hours. The patient is then sent a link to a secure video-conferencing site where they can talk to the psychiatrist.

“We’re also able to prescribe medication through the digital prescription pad service, should any be necessary, and provide access to suitable online psychotherapy services if needed.”

Consultations are available for £100 from the website, which can be found at www.psychiatry-uk.com.