St Andrew’s Healthcare Essex

Specialist mental healthcare delivered with compassion and expertise

Located in North Benfleet, Essex, St Andrew’s Healthcare Essex is a 78-bed hospital offering specialist Psychiatric Intensive Care Units and acute services for men and women and low secure and rehabilitation services for men. We support people with complex mental health needs, including those with personality disorders, forensic histories or who are currently within the criminal justice system.  

Our hospital offers a safe, therapeutic environment where care is delivered by experienced multidisciplinary teams, focused on stabilisation, recovery, and progression to less restrictive settings. 

We are proud to be rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), with inspectors highlighting the kindness, compassion, and professionalism of our staff.

Our services

Overview 

At Essex, we provide a range of specialist services tailored to individual needs, ensuring patients receive the right care, at the right time, in the right environment.

Psychiatric Intensive Care Units (PICU)

Our PICU service supports adult males who are experiencing an acute mental health crisis and need more intensive support in a highly structured environment.

Audley ward (Male PICU)

PICU care focuses on:

• Specialist assessment and support
• Close monitoring and care
• Intensive therapeutic input
• A focus on reducing distress and risk prior to step-down

Acute Mental Health Services 

Our acute services provide short-term inpatient care for individuals who need support to manage and stabilise their mental health.

Benfleet ward (Male Acute) | Frinton ward (Female Acute)

These services focus on:

• Assessment and treatment
• Medication support
• Access to therapies and structured activities
• Planning for next steps in recovery
• H3 Specialist Mental health and Personality Disorder Services

We also provide more specialised support for individuals with complex emotional and psychological needs, including those with forensic histories or in the criminal justice system.

Danbury ward (Male Low Secure)

Tiptree ward (Male Rehabilitation)

• These services offer:
• Trauma-informed care
• Structured therapeutic programmes
• Emotional regulation and coping strategies
• Long-term recovery support