Mental health urgent assessment centres

The NHS provider trusts worked together to develop five mental health urgent assessment centres (MHUACs) to improve care for people who are in crisis and who have attended their local Emergency Department seeking help.

Patients who attend Emergency Department in a crisis are quickly assessed by both hospital staff and the Mental Health Liaison Team. Where further mental health assessment is required and it is medically safe, they are invited to the MHUAC, which is located immediately next to Emergency Department.

Patients are supported by highly trained mental health nurses, consultant psychiatrists, support workers and trainee nursing associates.  Part of the Mental Health Liaison Team, they have expertise in assessing and treating mental health crises where there is often an additional physical health need.

The centres are transforming mental health emergency care by ensuring safe and effective assessment of both physical and mental health needs.

Caroline Donovan, chief executive of Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We really want to make sure that people who are in crisis with their mental health are able to get the help they need quickly in the most appropriate place.”

More information is here: Lancashire and South Cumbria Health and Care Partnership :: New phone line and care centres provide urgent mental health support (healthierlsc.co.uk)