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A dedicated PICU service for men aged 18-65 years requiring specialist short-term support during a mental health crisis
Audley ward, based within our Essex hospital, provides a safe, structured and therapeutic environment delivering urgent individualised assessment, stabilisation, and recovery-focused treatment. Our multidisciplinary team works collaboratively with patients, families, and community services to support positive outcomes and a sustained recovery enabling people to return home or to a more appropriate setting as quickly as possible.
Audley ward accommodates up to 11 male patients detained under the Mental Health Act, requiring psychiatric intensive care. Operating 24/7, our national service provides urgent placements when individuals cannot be safely managed and cared for in other settings, including general acute hospitals, other PICUs, prison or criminal justice services.
Our focus is on delivering evidence-based, patient-centred care that supports rapid stabilisation and recovery, ensuring timely discharge pathways that maintains continuity and reduces patient length of stay. Our average length of stay is typically less than national benchmarks.
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Audley ward leaflet 2025 PICU-Acute service brochure 2025 Acute and PICU Referral Form 2024We support men aged 18-65 detained under the Mental Health Act who are experiencing crisis mental health episodes characterised by:
Our expert multidisciplinary team includes experienced consultant psychiatrists, senior nursing staff, psychologists, occupational therapists, pharmacy, technical instructors and social workers who collaborate to deliver tailored care plans. Key elements include:
Patients receiving care on Audley ward benefit from:
We are nationally accredited as members of the RCPsych Quality Network for Psychiatric Intensive Care Units and National Association of Psychiatric Intensive Care Units (NAPICU).
Admissions are accepted 24/7 for urgent NHS and non-English placements. Referring teams are asked to provide comprehensive clinical documentation including risk assessments, Mental Health Act paperwork, recent nursing and medical notes, and multidisciplinary reports to ensure smooth admission.
Discharge planning begins at admission, focusing on effective handover to community services, step-down care or criminal justice services, with ongoing collaboration where required to support recovery and prevent readmission. For those patients in need of longer treatment following the acute period of their care, we have on-site mental health rehabilitation pathways, which can be discussed with the clinical teams.
“The staff on Audley has shown me nothing but kindness and compassion.” Patient on Audley ward.
“My care has been brilliant. I can now maintain my composure and manage my stress.” Patient on Audley ward.
“I learnt a lot about my strengths and weaknesses, and I learnt how to treat people how I would want to be treated.” Patient on Audley ward.