Comprehensive Mental and Physical Health Assessment
A 60-minute GP-led appointment to explore your physical health, mental wellbeing and any conected symptoms
Sometimes it can be difficult to separate physical symptoms, mental wellbeing, lifestyle factors and the pressures of everyday life.
This appointment gives you time to look at the bigger picture. Dr Tom Morgan will explore your physical health, mental wellbeing, medication, sleep, lifestyle and any symptoms or concerns that may be connected, helping you understand what may be contributing and what to do next.
The assessment is for adults aged 18 and over.
Is This Appointment Right for Me?
Sometimes it is clear what is wrong and which type of help you need. At other times, the picture is more complicated.
You may have several symptoms at once, feel that your physical and mental health are affecting each other, or simply be unsure which service or specialist would be the right place to start.
The comprehensive mental and physical health assessment appointment is designed to give you time to explore that wider picture.
Changes in Mood or Anxiety
You may be experiencing persistent anxiety, low mood, irritability, emotional changes or a general feeling that you are not yourself.
The assessment allows time to consider these symptoms alongside your physical health, medication, sleep and wider circumstances.
Concentration and Mental Clarity
Problems with concentration, memory, organisation, motivation or brain fog can have many possible explanations.
These may include mental health difficulties, ADHD, poor sleep, stress, medication, hormonal changes or physical health problems.
The aim is not to assume a particular diagnosis, but to understand the pattern.
Sleep and Fatigue
Poor sleep and persistent tiredness can affect almost every area of physical and mental health.
Your appointment can explore sleep patterns, energy levels and possible physical, psychological or lifestyle contributors.
Medication Questions
If you are already taking medication, Dr Tom can review how it fits into the wider picture.
This can look at possible side effects, interactions and whether your current treatment still appears appropriate.
Physical and Emotional Symptoms Together
Physical symptoms can affect mental wellbeing, and mental health difficulties can produce very real physical symptoms.
Looking at the two together may help identify connections that are difficult to see when each symptom is considered separately.
Not Knowing Where to Start
You do not need to know which diagnosis, test or specialist you need before booking.
One purpose of the assessment is to help establish the most sensible next step.
Why Look at Mental and Physical Health Together?
Mental and physical health do not operate independently.
Sleep, hormones, pain, medication, nutritional issues, thyroid problems, stress and other physical health factors can affect mood, concentration and energy.
Likewise, anxiety, depression, prolonged stress and other mental health difficulties can affect sleep, appetite, physical symptoms, motivation and overall wellbeing.
A joined-up assessment gives your GP time to consider these areas together rather than treating each concern in isolation.
Where appropriate, this may lead to further physical investigations, mental health treatment, an ADHD assessment pathway, talking therapy or referral to another specialist.
If your main concern is already clearly related to mental health, you may instead prefer our GP-led Mental Health Appointments
What Happens During a Comprehensive Mental and Physical Health Assessment
How Is This Different From a GP Mental Health Appointment?
A joined-up assessment gives your GP time to consider these areas together rather than treating each concern in isolation.
Where appropriate, this may lead to further physical investigations, mental health treatment, an ADHD assessment pathway, talking therapy or referral to another specialist.
If your main concern is already clearly related to mental health, you may instead prefer our GP-led Mental Health Appointments
On small screens this table is shown as stacked cards. Column headers are repeated as labels on each cell.
| GP Mental Health Appointment | Comprehensive Mental & Physical Health Appointment | |
|---|---|---|
| Appointment Length | 30 minutes | 60 minutes |
| Best suited toHow many people can log in at once. | A more focused mental health concern | A broader or more complex picture involving physical and mental health |
| Mental health review | Yes | Detailed |
| Medication and treatment review | Where relevant | Detailed review in context of the wider picture |
| Sleep and lifestyle considered | Where relevant | Yes, as part of the broader assessment |
| Physical health considered | Where clinically relevant | A core part of the joined-up assessment |
| Further investigations | May be recommended | Considered where it may help explain symptoms |
| Next Steps | linical advice and treatment plan | Personalised plan bringing the different areas together |
| Book Comprehensive Mental & Physical Health Appointment |
What If I Am Wondering About ADHD or Autism?
Dr Tom is also a qualified adult ADHD assessor, which can be useful when concentration, organisation, impulsivity, executive functioning or other possible neurodevelopmental symptoms form part of a more complicated picture.
However, this appointment is not an ADHD or autism diagnostic assessment.
ou do not need to suspect ADHD or autism to book it, and you do not need to complete this appointment before booking a formal assessment.
Instead, it can be useful when you are unsure whether your difficulties might relate to ADHD, mental health, physical health, sleep, medication or a combination of factors.
If a formal ADHD assessment appears appropriate, Dr Tom can discuss that with you as part of your onward plan.
You can also explore the wider range of ADHD, Autism & Mental Health services.
Is The Comprehensive Mental and Physical Health Assessment Right for Me?
The outcome will depend on what is found during your assessment.
GP Treatment or Medication
Dr Tom may be able to recommend treatment, review existing medication or discuss whether medication changes should be considered where clinically appropriate.
Talking Therapy or Mental Health Support
If psychological support would be useful, you can be directed towards an appropriate service.
You can also view our wider Mental Health Services
ADHD Assessment
Where the history suggests that adult ADHD should be investigated further, a formal diagnostic assessment can be discussed.
Physical Health Investigation
Further testing may be appropriate if physical causes or contributors need to be investigated.
Specialist Referral
Where appropriate, you may be advised to see another specialist for further assessment or treatment.
The purpose is to provide a coordinated next step rather than leaving you to work out which service to approach on your own.
Meet Dr Tom Morgan
GP With Specialist Experience in Mental Health
Dr Tom Morgan BSc (Hons), MBChB, MRCGP
Dr Tom Morgan is an NHS GP Partner and private GP with a longstanding special interest in mental health.
Before studying medicine, he completed a first-class degree in Physiology at the University of Southampton. He then studied medicine at the University of Bristol, qualifying in 2011.
He is a Member of the Royal College of General Practitioners and a qualified adult ADHD assessor.
Dr Tom also spent seven years working with the Reading Mental Health Crisis Team and helped establish a Berkshire service designed to improve collaboration between primary and secondary mental health care.
That combination of general practice experience and specialist mental health knowledge is particularly useful when symptoms do not fit neatly into a single category.
You can also read more about Dr Tom’s work and approach at The Mental Health GP.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the appointment?
The Comprehensive Mental & Physical Health Assessment lasts 60 minutes, giving you more time to explore a complex or interconnected set of concerns than would normally be available in a standard GP appointment.
Who can book this assessment?
The service is for adults aged 18 and over.
Do I need to have a diagnosis before booking?
No.
The assessment is particularly useful when you do not yet know what is causing your symptoms or which type of help you need.
How is this different from a GP Mental Health Appointment?
The GP Mental Health Appointment is a shorter, more focused consultation for a mental health concern.
The Comprehensive Mental & Physical Health Assessment lasts 60 minutes and is designed to explore the wider relationship between mental wellbeing, physical health, medication, sleep, lifestyle and other possible contributors.
Is this an ADHD or autism assessment?
No.
Dr Tom is a qualified adult ADHD assessor and possible neurodevelopmental symptoms can be discussed, but this appointment does not provide an ADHD or autism diagnosis.
A formal assessment is a separate service.
Do I need this appointment before booking an ADHD assessment?
No.
It is optional and may be useful if you are unsure whether your difficulties relate to ADHD, mental health, physical health or a combination of factors.
Will I need blood tests?
Not necessarily.
Blood tests or other investigations are recommended only where they may help clarify the cause of your symptoms. Any additional testing and associated costs will be discussed before proceeding.
Do I need this appointment before booking an ADHD assessment?
No.
It is optional and may be useful if you are unsure whether your difficulties relate to ADHD, mental health, physical health or a combination of factors.
Can medication be prescribed?
Dr Tom can review medication and discuss treatment options where clinically appropriate and in line with Total Health West Berkshire’s prescribing policies.
Will my NHS GP be told about the appointment?
Relevant information can be shared with your NHS GP with your consent.
Where does the appointment take place?
Appointments take place at Total Health West Berkshire in Thatcham.
Is this an emergency mental health service?
No.
If you or somebody else is in immediate danger or needs urgent mental health support, use the appropriate emergency or crisis service rather than waiting for a private appointment.
Book Your Comprehensive Mental and Physical Health Assessment
If your symptoms do not fit neatly into one area, or you feel that your physical and mental health need to be considered together, this appointment gives you time to explore the wider picture with an experienced GP.