Dedicated Mental Health Clinical Assessment Unit opens
A new Mental Health Clinical Assessment Unit staffed by mental health clinicians from South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust at Croydon University Hospital, has officially opened.
The unit, which is located a short walk from the hospital’s Emergency Department (ED), will support adults who arrive at the ED in need of urgent mental health care.
The new unit will ensure anyone in mental health crisis, who does not have serious physical health needs, will receive specialist care from a team of mental health professionals including nurses and occupational therapists immediately - day or night.
Officially opening the unit, Vanessa Smith, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust’s Chief Nurse, said:
“I am delighted to be opening this new unit today. It has been a really positive experience to work with key partners in this development. It is our duty to do everything we can to support people with mental ill health experiencing a crisis. These units will provide extra, specialist support for people presenting at ED who need mental health care and treatment.”
David Bradley, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust’s Chief Executive, said:
“The new unit will help to save people’s lives and we are pleased to have worked together with our partner organisation to ensure people who present at ED needing urgent mental health help can access safe, effective support when they need it.
“This purpose-built Mental Health Clinical Assessment Unit will ensure the privacy and dignity of people who are using the service. The unit will also help give the physical health trust the capacity to care for general patients knowing that patients who need mental health support are safe and cared for.”
This unit will operate in addition to the Trust’s dedicated psychiatric liaison team working within local ED department, who work with clinicians to provide an integrated service that addresses people’s whole health needs.
Elaine Clancy, Chief Nurse for Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, which runs Croydon University Hospital, said:
"With the experts working together from SLAM and the Emergency Department team , this fantastic new unit will offer compassionate, quality , safe care when people need our attention most to support their mental health during times of crisis and to help keep them well.”
Julie Odele, the Clinical Services Lead for the Unit said:
"I am really pleased that the unit is staffed by the creme de la creme of mental health practitioners who are as passionate about mental health care as myself and who will provide the best care to the residents of Croydon and the surrounding boroughs".
This service complements other Trust services for those in the community with mental health needs and also across our inpatient services.
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust also operates a 24-hour mental health crisis line which can be access on 0800 731 2864.
