Bath Mind and RUH service offers mental health crisis support
BSW-based Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sector group Bath Mind’s Emergency Department Adult Intervention Service is located at the RUH and offers one-to-one support to anyone presenting to the Emergency Department with mental health crisis behaviours. The service has recently celebrated its first anniversary. Manager Hannah Price-Jones explains how the service works:
Can you tell us what the Emergency Department Adult Intervention Service is?
The Bath Mind Emergency Department Adult Intervention Service is located at Bath and Wessex House at the RUH and offers emergency support from our skilled, trauma-informed practitioners as well as offering emotional support, techniques to manage mental health challenges, safety planning and supporting individuals taking the next steps to enhance their mental health and wellbeing.
Why is it an important service?
Bath Mind takes pride in promoting people’s mental health and well-being. We provide valuable knowledge and understanding of the different services across our communities. The aim is to reduce the number of people visiting A&E , and to make those who do visit feel more valued and supported as they leave.
What sort of challenges do people who use the service face?
Many of our clients feel a sense of isolation, and as a result, sit with uncertainty of where to receive support regarding mental health within the local community which leads them to A&E.
Can you tell us about some successful outcomes of the Emergency Department Adult Intervention service?
We have received a large amount of positive feedback from the patients referred to us which has highlighted the value of our service. Patients are receiving more information about where to turn in the community for support should they need it, along with skills and knowledge around managing well-being.
Follow up phone calls provide further insight into our clients’ journeys and the services to which they’ve been sign-posted. These phone calls also allow us to offer more support from other services should they need it.
What’s your favourite thing about working within the Emergency Department Adult Intervention Service?
Providing a safe space and support where patients can explore their mental health and well-being challenges is key to the service. Elevating peoples’ confidence, giving hope, and providing resources for people to support their mental health and well-being. The positive impacts of the follow-up calls and updates of the people’s achievements since being involved in the service has been invaluable.
Can you share what the hardest part of working for the service is?
Due to the nature of A&E and the uncertainty of who will be referred to the service, it is key that the team are ready and equipped for all eventualities. We have a very hard-working and skilful team ready to support and face these uncertainties.
The Bath Mind Emergency Department Adult Intervention Service is located at Bath and Wessex House at the RUH and is open seven days a week from 8.30am to 5.30pm.