Patients at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust can now benefit from 24/7 specialist mental health support.

Provided by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT), the psychiatric liaison one-hour response service is available to those who visit the Emergency Department.

A team of 20 people, including two psychiatrists, a psychologist, nursing liaison colleagues and administrators will offer the service around the clock, based at our hospital.

Referrals for the service officially began on Monday, January 20.

Andy Morris, chief medical officer at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, said: “This is a fantastic development in the services available for our patients who are experiencing a mental health crisis, whether attending our Emergency Department or while an inpatient on our wards.

“It is a real benefit for our patients to be able to access the specialist care and advice of the mental health teams from Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust at any time of the day, 365 days of the year.”

Andy Brogan, executive chief operating officer and deputy CEO of Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I am delighted to have launched our brand-new psychiatric liaison support service.

“We know that mental ill health can affect anyone at any time. This new service will ensure that support is available to people who are presenting at The Princess Alexandra Hospital in a mental health crisis.

“Mental health is a key issue for Essex and improving and enhancing services to better support people is very much one of our key strategic aims.”