Improved support for people experiencing a mental health crisis has taken a further step forward this week, with the opening of a new Mental Health Crisis Assessment Service (MHCAS).
Based on the Countess of Chester Health Park, and run by Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP) in collaboration with Spider Project, the 24/7 service will support people who would have otherwise remained in A&E or the community for extended periods of assessment.
Suzanne Edwards, CWP Director of Operations and Deputy CEO, said: “We know from listening to our patients and carers that if you are experiencing a mental health crisis, a loud and busy A&E department can make an already difficult time in your life much worse.
“Our new service has a dual purpose. It provides a safe and calm extended assessment space, which helps us explore people’s needs in more depth, as well as reducing demand on our local emergency department.
“Our skilled clinicians are teaming up with trusted partners from the charity and voluntary sector to help speed up access to the right support, at the right time. Mental health is no different to physical health in that early intervention can make an enormous difference to keeping people well, and out of hospital.”
Following initial referral from A&E, NHS111 or a community mental health team, the MHCAS supports people aged 18+ who are in mental health distress, through an extended period of assessment and treatment. This might also include working on a variety of self-management skills, including coping strategies, anxiety management, medication support and connection to other organisations who support with key issues that drive poor mental health such as loneliness and welfare.
With permission, a family member, carer, or friend can also be involved in the assessment process and teams will work with people to plan what support may be needed at the end of the assessment. This could range from any number of options, including support from their GP, community mental health support, home treatment, an inpatient admission and/or support from VCFSE organisations, including Crisis Cafes.
Suzanne continues: “The MHCAS is only one piece of the jigsaw, as we are addressing mental health in our community in so many ways already. This includes by calling NHS 111 for access to a dedicated local mental health 24/7 crisis line, through crisis cafes, such as Café 71 in Chester or through increased access to NHS Talking Therapies.”
More information on the CWP Mental Health Crisis Assessment Service, is available here.
