PICU and acute services
Specialist care when patients need it most
Our specialist PICU and acute services in Essex provide safe, responsive, short-term care for adults experiencing an acute deterioration in their mental health.
We support people who may present with high levels of risk, complex mental health needs, forensic histories or involvement with the criminal justice system, including patients who cannot be safely or effectively managed in other settings.
Our experienced multidisciplinary teams provide intensive assessment, stabilisation, treatment and discharge planning, working closely with NHS teams, prisons and other referring organisations to support patients through crisis and towards their next stage of care.
Referrals are accepted 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Our latest bed availability
Our bed availability is updated daily during the working week to give referrers the latest information on placements across our Essex PICU and acute services.
Updated: 15/09/2026
| Service | Gender | Beds available |
| Audley – PICU | Male | 4 |
| Benfleet – Acute | Male | 1 |
| Frinton – Acute | Female | 2 |
Availability can change throughout the day. Please contact our referrals team to confirm availability and discuss a patient.
To make a referral
Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Call: 0808 258 4261
Email: sah.picuacute@nhs.net
Our PICU and acute services
Audley – Male PICU
A high-dependency service for men detained under the Mental Health Act who require intensive psychiatric care and support.
Audley supports patients experiencing acute mental illness, relapse or crisis, including psychosis, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, as well as patients with co-existing personality disorder, forensic histories or high levels of risk.
Benfleet – Male acute
A short-stay acute service for men experiencing an acute deterioration in their mental health.
The service provides assessment, stabilisation and risk management, with a focus on recovery and community reintegration. Patients are supported by a full multidisciplinary team throughout their admission.
Frinton – Female acute
An acute service for women requiring a step-up from community services or a step-down from more secure settings.
Frinton provides structured therapeutic support, stabilisation and risk management, with close collaboration between the multidisciplinary team, families and care coordinators.
A pathway beyond acute care
For some patients, stabilisation in PICU or acute care is the first step towards longer-term recovery.
Our PICU and acute services in Essex can offer an on-site pathway to Tiptree ward, our specialist male rehabilitation service. For patients who are clinically ready but not yet prepared to return to a less restrictive setting or the community, Tiptree can provide the next stage of rehabilitation, helping them build independence, manage risk and prepare for life beyond hospital.
Who we support
Our PICU and acute services can support adults experiencing:
- Acute mental illness, relapse or crisis
- High levels of risk to themselves or others
- Psychosis, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or drug-induced psychosis
- Complex or co-existing mental health needs
- Forensic histories or involvement with the criminal justice system
- Behaviours that challenge or other complex needs
We accept referrals from A&E and general acute hospitals, other PICUs, NHS mental health services, prisons and criminal justice services.
PICU admissions
PICU is for patients who require a higher level of psychiatric support and cannot be safely managed in a less intensive setting. Patients must be detained under the Mental Health Act.
All referrals are clinically reviewed, and we aim to respond within two hours of receiving full clinical documentation.
Acute admissions
Our acute services support patients who require short-term inpatient care to prevent further deterioration or escalation. Patients may be informal or detained under the Mental Health Act.
Our acute services are not suitable for people with a primary diagnosis of dementia or learning disability.
Specialist care, focused on recovery
Our PICU and acute teams bring together specialist clinical and forensic expertise, including psychiatry, psychology, nursing, occupational therapy and social work.
Care focuses on stabilisation, risk management and recovery, with discharge planning built into the admission from the outset. Our teams work closely with referring and community services to support a safe and appropriate next step.
Our Essex hospital is rated Good across all five domains by the CQC. Audley is also nationally accredited through the Royal College of Psychiatrists Quality Network for PICUs and the National Association of PICUs.
Download our PICU and acute service brochure here.
Make a referral
If you need a PICU or acute placement for someone experiencing a mental health crisis, our referrals team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Call: 0808 258 4261
Email: sah.picuacute@nhs.net
Download referral enquiry form here.
If you are unsure which service is most appropriate, our team can discuss the patient’s needs and help you identify the right placement.
