This is a London service provided by Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust. This service is available for women aged 18 years and over who are experiencing a mental health crisis. Referrals to the service can be made 24 hours a day and the person is also able to self-refer. Women are initially offered a 1-week stay, which can be extended up to a maximum of 4 weeks if the person needs this.
This is a London service provided by Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust. This service is available for women aged 18 years and over who are experiencing a mental health crisis. Referrals to the service can be made 24 hours a day and the person is also able to self-refer. Women are initially offered a 1-week stay, which can be extended up to a maximum of 4 weeks if the person needs this.
The crisis house is run by women only team who are available 24/7 and will offer formal support, including one-to-one sessions twice daily. The team provide trauma-informed care and are all trained to deal with disclosures of sexual, emotional or physical violence. The service also works with several different agencies throughout admission, such as GPs, care coordinators, social services, housing associations and the voluntary sector. The service also provides support groups, medication support and employs massage therapists.
The social and psychological needs of the person are identified during the initial assessment and then are reviewed on a daily basis thereafter. To cater for women with childcare issues, children can sometimes be admitted with their mothers, and the crisis house has positive relationships with local children’s services. Families and supporters are involved at all stages of care at the request of the service user, unless risk would indicate otherwise. Physical health is addressed in collaboration with primary care services and the person’s GP is usually contacted as part of the admission process. Physical health is checked in the initial assessment and routine observations are offered within the first 72 hours of admission.
A leaving date is planned during the initial agreement plan which is developed with the person in the first 24 hours. This leaving date is reviewed daily. All service users are contacted the day after returning home and are encouraged to attend the ongoing weekly support group, which is available to all women who have used the service.
Service users’ views are regularly obtained through service user feedback, daily house meetings and the monthly service user forum. Many women have been involved in the ongoing development of the service, such as the self-harm minimisation policy. Service users are also involved with interviewing staff.
