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A dedicated acute service for women aged 18-65 years requiring specialist short-term support during a mental health crisis
Frinton ward, based within our Essex hospital, provides a safe, structured and therapeutic environment delivering urgent individualised assessment, stabilisation, and recovery-focused treatment. This service is for women that typically present with behaviours that are less complex than those who require a Psychiatric Intensive Care (PICU) setting. 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.
Frinton ward accommodates up to 12 female patients detained under the Mental Health Act, requiring specialist acute 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, 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 length of stay.
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Frinton ward leaflet 2025 PICU-Acute service brochure 2025 Acute and PICU Referral Form 2024We support females 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 Frinton ward benefit from:
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.
“This is the first-place people really care about me and want me to do things and to do well.” Patient on female PICU ward in Essex
“The staff here are patient and respectful and they know how to keep us safe and support us.” Patient on female PICU ward in Essex
“I’ve had so many ups and downs but thank you for putting me back together.” Patient on female PICU ward in Essex