Multi disciplinary meeting

[somewhereovertherainbowwayuphi]

Hi, does anyone know what an NHS multi disciplinary meeting is and what it involves please?

It's when all aspects of care are discussed in details. For example when my DS was in ICU they discussed his case and this included: Cardio, infectious diseases, Paediatrics, Neurology and Urology. He needed a lot of different aspects of care and they had to make a plan moving forward including all of his care needed.

Also known at MDT

A cancer MDT is made up of radiologists, histopathologist, surgeon, oncologist, specialist nurses etc and each tumour site has it's own MDT ie group of specialists.

Occupational therapist here...... I work in mental health NHS, our MDT is OT, social work, psychology, associate specialist, RMN and psychiatrist (give or take a few each week)

Thank you everyone for replying. So it doesn’t necessarily mean that someone’s diagnosis is very bad then? Just that they need a care plan implemented?

It depends what its for, but its where a lot of people come together to discuss a care plan for a person.

It can include doctors, nurses, social work, physiotherapy, OT,, specialist doctors/nurses- and in some cases patients and/or their families.

In my DS's case it was that he wasn't likely to survive and what could they do. Cardiac surgeon originally wouldn't touch him with a barge pole as he was so poorly. My DS hung on a few more days and then they decided to have an MDT meeting and created a plan for his care going forward. Lucky for us the surgeon decided to try and saved his life

Thanks again everyone. Wow Boggle, sounds like you had the best outcome possible!

Thank you everyone for replying. So it doesn’t necessarily mean that someone’s diagnosis is very bad then? Just that they need a care plan implemented?

No, it doesn't always mean a bad diagnosis- in my very limited experience, it was because the person had complex multiple issues (all manageable individually but a bit of a nightmare together- eg the recommended treatment for issue 1 interfered with issue 2).

Yes, DS was only 17 days old when he got Sepsis, then infective endocarditis, Mitral valve regurgitation and then had a stroke. All from a UTI due to a Urology issue he was born with which we had no idea about. Worst time of our lives and we are so grateful to all the staff that looked after us, didn't give up and saved his life. He'll be a life long cardiac and Urology patient, possibly neuro too but he's alive and happy with very few issues considering how poorly he was. We are grateful for that big meeting (MDT) on a Monday afternoon/Tuesday morning where they decided to give cardiac surgery a shot!

From a cancer point of view, the MDT often discuss patients who might have had a scan or biopsy of something which turns out not to be cancer. It's the role of the MDT to work things out and then formulate a plan.