This unit focusses on the physical health assessment and care of service users within mental health care.

Three key areas are covered: Physical health assessment; Assessment and management of common physical disorders seen in mental health care and health promotion. The unit will be delivered through a combination of classroom seminars and practical sessions in the simulation suite.

Successful completion of this unit will provide you with the skills and knowledge necessary to address the physical health needs of service users in mental health settings.

This course requires 100% attendance.

Normally students may enter Level 6 (degree level) study if they have been awarded:

• An Advanced Diploma, HND, Dip HE or Foundation Degree (awarded by a UK HEI or Edexcel or SQA)
• An equivalent qualification (the learning outcome of which are demonstrably appropriate in terms of knowledge, understanding and skills) equivalent to 120 credits at Level 5.

If you do not meet this criteria you are still able to apply for this unit but we may ask you to complete a study skills handbook to familiarise yourself with academic writing at degree level. The study skills handbook will be sent to you when we have received your application form.

Applicants that already have a degree may wish to consider applying for this unit at Level 7 (Master’s level).

Fees and funding:

You will need to pay or indicate employer support of payment for unit or course fees to the university.

Applicants working within the NHS or other healthcare providers may be eligible for support with funding from their employer through the Learning Beyond Registration contract with the NHS South of England.

Applicants should contact their employing organisation for further details.

Pre-purchased places

The Faculty of Health & Social Sciences has contractual arrangements with NHS organisations for pre-paid places on specified modules including NHS South of England. If you work within Dorset & Somerset or Hampshire & Isle of Wight you may be able to access the pre-paid places. These arrangements allow NHS Trusts to nominate the staff they wish to send on each unit or course.

The pre-arranged agreements allow individuals, such as yourself, a route to access appropriate professional development opportunities that are seen as strategically important to your organisation (in consultation with your Line Manager/Education Co-ordinator). All requests for pre-paid places must first be agreed by your organisation’s Education Lead prior to completing an application.

ILOs  1 - 4 will be assessed by students critically analysing the assessment and care of a client by use of a case study (3000 word equivalent) 

Having completed this unit the student is expected to: 

1. Critically discuss ways in which the physical health of clients will be recognised, assessed and monitored. 
2. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the approaches to the promotion of  physical health in mental health settings 
3. Identify and define the key presenting features of a range of common physical illnesses 
4. Critically analyse the physical care skills required in mental health services

Course review:

In order to take advantage of new approaches to learning and teaching, as well as developments in practice to benefit our students we regularly review all of our courses. This course is currently going through this process and we will update this page to give you full information about what we will be offering once the review process has concluded.  These changes will come into effect for all new students from September 2025. Applicants will be notified by our admissions team of any changes.