Contacting Crisis Mental Health Services

As part of the NHS Long Term Plan, Mental health Trusts were asked nationally to provide a service that responded to MH Crisis within the community.

 This work was accelerated due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, along with the Mental Health (MH) Emergency Department (ED) diversion pathways.  

Currently across our geography all systems are at different stages in developing their system response. 

The NHS 111 Option 2 scheme is a simplistic phone number that mirrors the 111 number so the public can directly access MH services within their locality. Most 111 option 2 providers have  a Health Care Professionals (HCP) priority number to reduce delays in speaking with the MH team. In patients that present to EEAST where no physical health need can be identified. The ambulance clinician should use the 111 option 2 (HCP line where available) prior to discuss a MH community-based response, and before any onward conveyance of the patient. 

The First Response Service (FRS) element consists of MH clinicians and support workers that may support patients remotely or on scene.

The FRS team may be able to offer an alternate destination such as a MH ED diversion facility/hub and will be able confirm if the patient is known to MH services and access any existing care records. The FRS team will also be able to discuss the patient’s presentation and share any pre-existing care or crisis plan.

Please see below to confirm what is available within your locality:

Bedfordshire
111 Option 2
Health Care Professionals priority number: 01234 975904

Cambridgeshire
111 Option 2
Health Care Professionals priority number: 01480 442007

Essex
111 Option 2
Health Care Professionals priority number: 01375 364632
(Press 2 for North Essex patients, Press 3 for West Essex patients, Press 4 for South Essex patients)

Hertfordshire
111 Option 2
Health Care Professionals priority number: 0800 6444 101

Norfolk
Currently no 111 option 2 function, public number is: 0808 196 3494 Option 1
Health Care Professionals priority number: 0300 303 4418
Remember to share the location of your patient (Wisbech should be referred to the Cambridgeshire FRS: 01480 442007)

 Suffolk
Currently no 111 option 2 function, public number is: 0300 303 4418
Health Care Professionals priority number: 0300 303 4418 

EEAST clinicians action points:

• Introduce yourself and ask for the MH clinicians name and clinical role
• Think about the information the MH team may require
• Document your conversation and the key elements relevant to the patient presentation
• Ensure that any care, safety and treatment plan is recorded

Questions you may be asked by the MH team:

• Name, age, Date of birth and NHS number
• What's the Presenting Problem? (why did they call today?)
• Can you describe the current psychological pain the patient is experiencing? (Say what you can see and what you are hearing).
• What associated factors is the patient telling you about or you have identified? (drugs/alcohol/physical health/Safeguarding)
• Current Medication? (remember non prescribed and recreational)
• Your Clinical Impression and existing care/treatment plan (include safety plan/carers/children details/urgency of referral)
• What risks have you identified?
• What does the patient want to happen next to help them?
• What do you think needs to happen to help the patient?
  
  

All the above information can also be downloaded as a slideset below.

 

 

Published 14th January 2021