01604 616000
Arrow ImagePICU & Rapid Response

24/7 rapid assessment, intensive treatment and stabilisation for people with acute phases of mental illness. Decision within an hour of a referral.

Caring for our PICU patients during Covid-19

During these uncertain times we want to reassure you that we are accepting admissions whilst seeking to keep new and existing patients safe.

Important information regarding Covid-19 isolation protocols on admission

Due to the requirement to quarantine new admissions on arrival we may use Enhanced Support (ES) nursing in order to keep your patient and our other patients and staff safe.

This may be decided during the initial assessment, based for example on the patient's cognitive or behavioural ability to remain within their bedroom. Alternatively ES may be deemed to be appropriate following admission if the patient refuses or is unable to comply with isolation protocols.

Patients will remain quarantined for 6 days following their first negative swab test result, after which they will be tested again and removed from quarantine if clear. If ES is felt to be necessary there will be a charge. ES will be reviewed regularly throughout this period.

Ward Information

Heygate ward

Male PICU Northampton

Telephone: 01604 616 111

Email: [email protected]

Audley ward

Male PICU Essex 

Telephone: 01268 723 930

Email: [email protected]

Bayley ward

Female PICU Northampton

Telephone: 01604 614584 

Email: [email protected]

Frinton ward

Female PICU Essex 

Telephone: 01268 723 860

   Email: [email protected]

Rapid Response service

For Acquired Brain Injury, complex dementia or Huntington's disease

Male or female Northampton

Telephone: 0800 434 6690

Email: [email protected]

Live PICU Update

Updated: 8AM Friday 15 January

0 Female Beds Available

Bayley 0 beds

Northampton

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Frinton 0 Beds

Essex

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0 Male Beds Available

Audley 0 beds

Essex

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Heygate 0 beds.

Northampton

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Who we care for

Our PICUs provide a 24/7 gender-specific admissions service for people with acute phases of mental illness. We aim to provide rapid assessment, intensive treatment and stabilisation. Our tailored treatment programs are developed with the patient to recognise an individual's strengths, needs and risks, with emphasis on treating mental illness and starting the recovery process. Male or female patients aged 18-65 years typically present with:

  • acute metal illness or an exacerbation of a chronic mental illness
  • challenging behaviours as a result of a mental illness
  • significant risk, including aggression to self and others, absconding and / or vulnerability
  • who require relatively short-term intensive care in a safe environment
  • and have been detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended by the Mental Health Act 2007).

We also offer a Rapid Response service for older adults in crisis to provide urgent stabilisation and intensive therapy in a safe environment (see below for more details).

Making a referral to PICU

picu slide 1 v2 Step 1: You identify the need for a PICU admission and contact us. White Arrow
iStock 000044705430Large v2 Step 2: Telephone assessment of need and risk. We aim to reach an admission decision within the hour. White Arrow
JKP 8087 v2 Step 3: We co-ordinate admission to a male or female PICU service. White Arrow
pexels photo 273011 v2 Step 4: Assessment, stabilisation and discharge planning begin at the point of admission. White Arrow
pexels photo 29781 v2 Step 5: Regular telephone contact ensures consistent planning of the care pathway. White Arrow
iStock 000028067536XXXLargeCROP v2 Step 6: Assessment and risk evaluation. Multidisciplinary team treatment plan is completed within a week. White Arrow
Step 7: Evidence-based recovery and treatment is delivered by a full multi-disciplinary team. White Arrow
meeting 4 people2 v3 Step 8: Work closely with patients, carers and referrers to make discharge transition timely and seamless. White Arrow

Referral form and brochure

Click to download

PICU brochure Rapid response referral form Rapid response flyer PICU referal form

Rapid Response service for adults in crisis

We offer rapid assessment and admission (including within 24 hours) for patients in crisis whose behavioural presentation or cognitive function has deteriorated and who require urgent stabilisation and intensive therapy in a safe environment.

To make a referral call: 0800 434 6690

Who do we support?

We can admit patients who present with the following conditions, including those detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended in 2007):

1.  People with an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), including organic brain injury

2.  People with progressive neurological conditions (PNC), such as complex dementia and Huntington's disease (HD)

Patients admitted will be displaying behavioural difficulties and disturbances that compromise their own safety or that of others, and which cannot be managed or treated within their current setting.

Our programmes deliver treatment to support a return to community once the crisis period has subsided, and also offers a pathway for patients requiring a more extensive care package. Click here to read our brochure.

 

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