The Mental Health Crisis Assessment Service (MHCAS) offers a calm and therapeutic mental health setting to treat the majority of emergency mental health presentations.
We see and assess anyone over 18 years old that would otherwise go to an emergency department for mental health reasons and does not have an urgent medical need (for example, an overdose of medication).
We offer full emergency mental health assessments and onward care planning in the department with a diverse and highly skilled mental health workforce incorporating nurses, doctors, support workers and access to drug and alcohol workers and psychology.
We can support every aspect of emergency mental health care planning from GP referrals to Mental Health Act Assessments.
People who have attended an Accident and Emergency (A&E) department within Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster, Brent, Harrow or Hillingdon or are a resident of these boroughs and in another A&E, as long as there are no urgent medical needs.
Referrals will be made through the A&Es Liaison Psychiatry Team who will complete an initial assessment first.
Residents in Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster, Brent, Harrow or Hillingdon who have not attended A&E but are going through a mental health crisis can also use this service.
A&E Departments:
- Referrals will be made through the A&Es Liaison Psychiatry Team who will complete an initial assessment first.
First Responders (for example, ambulance and police) and other mental health teams:
- Ambulances, police and other mental health teams can also refer through SPA on 0800 0234 650 - if assessment at MHCAS is needed then they can bring people straight to our door.
Self-referrals for people going through a mental health crisis:
- People in mental health crisis should contact their usual community mental health team or telephone our 24/7 single point of access (SPA) line as usual on 0800 0234 650. This service can then advise whether you need emergency attention at MHCAS and direct you here or whether your needs are better met elsewhere. If advised to attend MHCAS you can come straight to our door, however we do not accept walk ins outside of contact with SPA.
The Mental Health Crisis Assessment Service is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week