GMC Number: 7082359
Dr Sahan Wijayaweera (BM MRCPsych DOccMed AMInstLM) is a psychiatrist with dual accreditation in General Adult and Old Age Psychiatry. Also, he has successfully completed the Diploma in Occupational Medicine.
He qualified from the University of Southampton School of Medicine. Subsequently, he entered the psychiatry training programme in the Wessex School of Psychiatry and obtained the Membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
He currently works as Community Consultant Psychiatrist Older Persons Mental Health in a culturally diverse population.
Previously he was an inpatient consultant psychiatrist in Older Persons Mental Health for Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust. In the past when providing out of hours services, he has cared for General Adult Psychiatry patients. Hence, he is clinically adept in both specialities.
He has a keen interest regarding the interaction between workplace and individual mental wellbeing.
Dr Wijayaweera pioneered implementing telepsychiatry in his in-patient ward enabling remote assessment of patients. With the collaboration of the staff in the ward, this procedure was successfully carried out during the COVID pandemic when isolation restrictions had been imposed. So, he has experience of conducting detailed clinical assessments via telepsychiatry.
He is approved under Section 12 of the Mental Health Act, as having special expertise in assessment and management of psychiatric conditions. He is also an Approved Clinician. He is experienced in providing evidence in mental health tribunals, both in person and via video conferencing.
He is an associate member of the Institute of Leadership and Management with an interest in Organisational change and culture. He also serves as an educational and clinical supervisor for foundation doctors, GP trainees and higher trainees in Old Age Psychiatry. He is also a Lead Undergraduate Tutor for Medical Students and Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer in Psychiatry at the University of Southampton School of Medicine.
Dr Wijayaweera believes each individual is unique, so he works in collaboration with patients and their families when formulating treatment. Therefore every treatment plan is tailormade to suit individual requirements.
His clinical expertise extends in assessing and providing care for mental health conditions in adults of all ages, in particular:
Depression
Bipolar Disorder
Anxiety – Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder
Stress
Psychosis
Schizophrenia
Dementia, Mild Cognitive Impairment, Challenging behaviours associated with Dementia, other cognitive disorders
Work related mental health conditions
Mental health conditions secondary to chronic illness
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Adjustment disorders
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
