Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)

Psychiatric intensive care units (PICU) are inpatient psychiatric wards that provide mental health care and treatment of patients with acute and enduring mental health issues.

Providing male and female PICU wards in both Essex and Northampton - conveniently located and easily accessible on major transport routes - we take patients from across the country.

All of our PICU’s are members of NAPICU and we abide by the NAPICU minimum standards and admission criteria.

Heygate - Male PICU Northampton - 01604 616 111 Email: SAH.PICUMaleNorthampton@nhs.net

Bayley - Female PICU Northampton - 01604 614 584 Email: SAH.PICUFemaleNorthampton@nhs.net

Audley - Male PICU Essex - 01268 723 930 Email: SAH.PICUMaleEssex@nhs.net

Frinton - Female PICU Essex - 01268 723 860 Email: SAH.PICUFemaleEssex@nhs.net

From 1 October 2019 changes to our enhanced support will come into effect - please refer to our referral form for details

Our PICU services provide tailored treatment programs that are developed to recognise each individual’s strengths, needs and risks, with specific emphasis on treating mental illness and starting the recovery process.

They are gender specific and therefore accept either male or female patients who:

are aged 18-65 years
are suffering from an acute mental illness or an exacerbation of a chronic mental illness
may be displaying challenging behaviours as a result of a mental illness
demonstrate significant risk, including aggression to self and others, absconding and / or vulnerability
require relatively short-term intensive care in a safe environment
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).

Since 1 February 2019, the Male and Female PICU in Northampton have been trialling body ward cameras on nurses. For further information please contact the Operational Lead, Dean Robinson, by emailing drobinson@standrew.co.uk

Live PICU Update

Updated: 10am Monday 21st October

2 Female Beds Available

Bayley 0 Beds Available

Northampton

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Frinton 2 Beds Available Now

Essex

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3 Male Beds Available

Audley 2 Beds Available Now

Essex

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Heygate 1 Bed Available Now

Northampton

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Making a referral to PICU

Step 1: You identify the need for a PICU admission and contact us.

Step 2: Telephone assessment of need and risk. We aim to reach an admission decision within the hour.

Step 3: We co-ordinate admission to a male or female PICU service.

Step 4: Assessment, stabilisation and discharge planning begin at the point of admission.

Step 5: Regular telephone contact ensures consistent planning of the care pathway.

Step 6: Assessment and risk evaluation. Multidisciplinary team treatment plan is completed within a week.

Step 7: Evidence-based recovery and treatment is delivered by a full multi-disciplinary team.

Step 8: Work closely with patients, carers and referrers to make discharge transition timely and seamless.

Referral form and brochure

Click to download

PICU brochure Rapid response referral form Rapid Response flyer PICU Referral 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: 01604 616 000

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.