Mental Health
The Berkshire Medical Practice – Cookham
1 The Lodge,,Cookham,Maidenhead, Maidenhead SL6 9QQ
Overview
The Berkshire Medical Practice in Cookham is a primary care facility serving the local community in Maidenhead and surrounding areas. As a general practice, it provides essential healthcare services including routine medical consultations, health assessments, chronic disease management, and preventative care. The practice is located at 1 The Lodge in Cookham, making it accessible to residents across the Maidenhead area.
The practice operates as part of the NHS primary care system and offers a range of services typical of modern general practices. These include GP appointments for acute and chronic health conditions, health screening, vaccinations, minor injury management, and referrals to specialist services when needed. The practice is staffed by qualified GPs, nurses, and administrative team members who work to deliver comprehensive healthcare to their registered patients.
Patients can register with the practice if they live within its catchment area. The practice typically offers appointments through various methods including face-to-face consultations and telephone or video consultations. Like other UK general practices, it aims to provide timely and accessible care while managing the health needs of its registered patient population.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can access mental health services at The Berkshire Medical Practice – Cookham in Maidenhead through a GP referral, self-referral (available for NHS Talking Therapies and some community services), or through NHS 111 if you need urgent support. Contact 01628 780320 to find out about referral pathways and current waiting times. In a crisis, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option, or call the Samaritans on 116 123.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999. For a mental health crisis, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option for 24/7 support, contact your local Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team, call the Samaritans on 116 123 (free, 24/7), text SHOUT to 85258, or attend A&E if you feel unsafe. If you are already known to The Berkshire Medical Practice – Cookham, you may have a crisis plan with direct contact numbers.
The Berkshire Medical Practice – Cookham offers a range of evidence-based therapies which may include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), counselling, psychotherapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), group therapy, art and creative therapies, and family therapy. The specific therapies available depend on the service. Your treatment plan will be tailored to your individual needs.
Yes, all treatment at The Berkshire Medical Practice – Cookham is strictly confidential under NHS policy and data protection law. Information is only shared with healthcare professionals directly involved in your care. Confidentiality may only be broken in exceptional circumstances where there is a serious risk of harm to yourself or others, a court order, or a safeguarding obligation.
Yes, The Berkshire Medical Practice – Cookham may offer remote therapy options including telephone sessions, video consultations, and guided online self-help programmes. Remote therapy is clinically effective for many conditions and offers greater flexibility. It is particularly helpful for those with mobility issues, caring responsibilities, or who prefer the comfort of their own home. Ask about remote options when you are referred.
Waiting times vary depending on the service and urgency. NHS Talking Therapies aims to start treatment within 6 weeks of referral. Community Mental Health Team assessments may take 4-12 weeks. Urgent referrals are prioritised. Contact 01628 780320 for current waiting times. While waiting, you can access self-help resources, crisis lines, and wellbeing apps recommended by the NHS.
The Berkshire Medical Practice – Cookham may offer group therapy programmes which provide peer support alongside professional guidance. Groups may focus on anxiety management, depression recovery, DBT skills, mindfulness and stress reduction, bereavement, and substance misuse support. Groups are led by trained therapists and typically run for 8-12 weeks. Ask 01628 780320 about current group programmes.
The Berkshire Medical Practice – Cookham provides support for a wide range of mental health conditions including depression, anxiety disorders (generalised anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar disorder, personality disorders, eating disorders, psychosis and schizophrenia, perinatal mental health, and complex emotional difficulties.
The Berkshire Medical Practice – Cookham recognises the impact of mental illness on families and carers. Support may include family meetings with the clinical team, carer support groups, information sessions about conditions and treatments, signposting to organisations like Mind, Rethink Mental Illness, and Carers UK, and involvement in care planning with the patient's consent.
If you have complex mental health needs, The Berkshire Medical Practice – Cookham may use the Care Programme Approach (CPA). Under CPA you will have a named care coordinator, a comprehensive care plan developed with you, regular reviews of your care and progress, and a structured plan for when you are ready to be discharged from the service. CPA ensures coordinated, person-centred care across different services.
Yes, consultant psychiatrists at The Berkshire Medical Practice – Cookham can prescribe and manage psychiatric medications including antidepressants, anti-anxiety medication, mood stabilisers, and antipsychotics. Medication is usually combined with talking therapy for the best outcomes. Regular reviews ensure your medication is working effectively and monitor for side effects. Your GP may take over prescribing once your condition is stable.
The Berkshire Medical Practice – Cookham may provide or link to specialist perinatal mental health services for women experiencing mental health difficulties during pregnancy or in the first year after birth. Conditions include antenatal and postnatal depression, anxiety, PTSD from birth trauma, and postpartum psychosis. Early treatment is vital for both mother and baby. Ask your GP or midwife about perinatal mental health referrals.
Your first appointment is usually an assessment lasting 45-60 minutes. A mental health professional will ask about your current difficulties, their impact on your life, your mental health history, physical health, medication, and what you hope to achieve. This is a collaborative conversation — you will not be pressured to share anything you are not comfortable with. After the assessment, you will discuss the most suitable treatment options.
The Berkshire Medical Practice – Cookham may provide or link to services for people with dual diagnosis (co-occurring mental health and substance misuse problems). Support can include assessment, counselling, harm reduction advice, detox support, and referral to specialist addiction services. Contact 01628 780320 for information about substance misuse support.