About Dr Assin

Dr Wilfred Assin is a fully registered Medical Practitioner. He is a Consultant Psychiatrist specialising in General Adult Psychiatry employed by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. He holds Private Out-patient Clinics at 5 The Drive, Hove, Sussex, BN3 3JE (01273-778123).

Previously, Dr Assin used to see Private Patients at The Priory Hospital Brighton & Hove and at The Sussex Medical Chambers, however, he is now only available at 5 The Drive.

His area of specialist interest within General Psychiatry is the assessment and treatment of affective (mood) disorders though he treats patients with a broad range of mental health problems. Please see the section on Services Provided for more information.

Dr Assin was born in 1959 in Cape Town, South Africa. He studied at the University of Cape Town, where he graduated as a doctor (General Medical Practitioner) in 1983, having obtained a Degree of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.,Ch.B.). He moved to England in 1985. Dr Assin lives with his family in Sussex.

Dr Assin first worked in the field of Psychiatry in 1984. In 1985 he commenced formal training in Psychiatry, obtaining his Membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (M.R.C.Psych.) in 1989. Having completed his higher training on the St. George’s Hospital Scheme in London (UK), he became a Consultant in 1993.

Dr Assin has extensive teaching experience, lecturing widely on a number of areas within Psychiatry.

In addition to his clinical work, he has been actively involved in Clinical Management, holding the post of Lead Psychiatrist in Recovery Services within the Brighton and Hove Locality of Sussex Partnership Trust until November 2008.

[Home]

What is a Consultant Psychiatrist?

A Psychiatrist is a medical doctor who, after graduation, has specialised in the field of Mental Illness (Psychiatry).

To qualify as a doctor, there is an undergraduate course (some university courses last 5, others 6 years). It is then necessary to complete two years at Foundation Level, known as FY1 and FY2 (for Foundation Year 1 or 2). In the past, this lasted for only one year and the trainee was known as a "House Officer".

Following this, doctors can specialise. This involves extra training in the chosen speciality as well as the need to pass exams set by the relevant Royal College. In the case of Psychiatry, the letters MRCPsych indicate that the doctor has passed the necessary examinations and is a Member of the Royal College. Currently the system involves 6 years of higher training, with the grades being ST1 through to ST6 (ST stands for Specialist Trainee). Following this the doctor is eligible for a "Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training" (or CCST) which is required to become a Consultant.

Although Consultant Psychiatrists have an understanding of therapeutic techniques their approach is in generally more medical.