How our service can help you
Snowsfields Adolescent Unit is an open adolescent unit, offering mental
health care for adolescents with serious mental illness who require
hospital admission. We have developed a national and international
reputation for innovation and pioneered the introduction of a
comprehensive, all-hours emergency admission service.
The majority of the young people we treat are emergency admissions,
however planned admissions can also be arranged. Admissions are accepted
24-hours a day, 365 days a year, and can be accepted under the Mental
Health Act.
Around half of the young people admitted to our unit have psychosis.
Others have problems relating to their mood, often posing a risk to
themselves. We are also able to admit young people with a variety of
other psychiatric or neurodevelopmental disorders, or where there is
uncertainty about diagnosis.
As we are an open unit, we are unable to admit young people who pose a
level of risk that is not consistent with being cared for in such an
environment. This judgement is always based on individual risk
assessment rather than applying absolute exclusion criteria, and is
reviewed regularly. People requiring care in a more secure setting can
be admitted to the unit if the risk has altered.
We provide a broad range of interventions, which are delivered by a team
of psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, teachers, occupational
therapists, social workers and other therapists.
We maintain close links with the person's referring team to ensure they
experience a smooth transition back to the community. Day treatment is
often used as a step-down service and can sometimes be used to avoid
admission altogether.
- Service Type: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (National and Specialist) Service Borough Covers: National (Child and Adolescent services) Treatment type: Inpatient
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Contact the service
Site Location: Maudsley Hospital Known As: Mapother House Fax Number: 020 3228 2200 or 020 3228 2207 -
Disabled Access:
Yes. All room accessible to wheelchairs. Lifts to fourth floor. Assisted showers and toilet available
- Address: Mapother House, Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill,London,, SE5 8AZ
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Business Hours/Visiting Hours:
24 hours, seven days a week. Emergency referrals accepted.
- Conditions: Anxiety, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Autism, Bipolar disorder, Conduct disorder, Depression, Dissociative disorders, Eating disorders, Learning disabilities, Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), Psychosis, Self-harm
Other essential information
Interventions
Our interventions include:
- Comprehensive mental state assessment
- Psychological assessment and treatment
- Access to individual and group art psychotherapy
- Access to physical health assessment and appropriate treatment and advice
- Risk assessment
- Occupational therapy – therapeutic groups including specialist projects with partner agencies and specialist assessments including activities of daily living, functional, sensory and education or vocational. The ward’s occupational therapist is also the day patient coordinator
- Education provided onsite by professional teaching staff
- Family work and psychoeducational support for families
- Care planning, including working with the young person’s family and carers
- Medication review and prescribing
- Relapse prevention planning
- Social work support, including assistance with benefits and housing
Eligibility criteria
- Adolescents (12 years), up to 18 years old
- Male or female
- Mental illness or suspected mental illness that cannot be safely managed by outpatient services
Exclusion
- Young people requiring a more secure environment
Outcomes
Our outcomes include:
- Formulation and diagnosis
- Stabilisation or resolution of mental health crisis
- Readiness for re-integration into education, or plans for alternative training and development
- Readiness to resume outpatient psychiatric care
- Relapse prevention strategies
- Improved general well-being
- Comprehensive admission, care plan approach and discharge summaries