Our Emergency Department Adult Intervention Service has now been running for over a year! Based at the RUH in Bath’s Emergency Department, the service offers one-to-one support to anyone presenting to the Emergency Department with mental health crisis behaviours. We had a chat with Hannah, who manages the team, to find out more about what the service provides and who it supports.

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 is open seven days a week from 8.30am to 5.30pm.

People can get 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. The team will support you to access appropriate local resources and contact other Bath Mind services.

Follow up calls will be provided to prevent feelings of isolation and abandonment. The follow up calls will also provide updates on actions taken moving forward to support peoples’ mental health and wellbeing.

Why is it an important service?

Patients who attended A&E with lower-level mental health challenges were unable to receive much time or information ahead of being released before Bath Mind was located at the RUH. Bath Mind takes pride in promoting people’s mental health and wellbeing. 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 feel more valued and supported as they leave.

I’m so glad you are listening and I express gratitude frequently for my support.

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 wellbeing.

Follow up phone calls provide a further insight into our clients’ journey 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.

Thank you for supporting me yesterday. I was having tough times physically and mentally and you helping me out by talking to me and organising my CBT follow-up call.

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 wellbeing challenges is key to the service. Elevating peoples’ confidence, giving hope, and providing resources for people to support their own mental health and wellbeing. 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.