Crisis resolution home treatment services - referrer information

The new services build on our current home treatment teams, bringing assessment, treatment and support together into one consistent, easy and quick service for people aged 18-65 (day before 65th birthday) experiencing a mental health crisis. This could include:

• Self-harm, active suicidal thoughts, significant emotional distress, behavioural disturbance, or other indicators of an escalating mental health crisis which are not longstanding.
• Rapid deterioration in their mental health, and wellbeing associated with factors such as:
  • Breakdown or loss of support systems.
  • Abuse, exploitation, or safeguarding concerns.
  • Acute interpersonal or environmental stressors.

What the services offer

Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the service will:

• Quickly assess people experiencing a mental health crisis.
• Offer rapid face-to-face assessments for people who meet the criteria: 
  • Very urgent: 4-hour response
  • Urgent: 24-hour response 
• Provide intensive support at home or in the community, to help people avoid a hospital admission. 
• Support people until their crisis has improved, then help them move on to another appropriate service, where needed.
• Help people leave hospital sooner by providing ongoing intensive support and risk management at home. 
• Work closely with GPs, mental health services, emergency services colleagues, voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations and other local partners to provide joined-up care.

Benefits 

• Faster, more reliable crisis support, available 24/7. 

• More people supported at home or somewhere they feel safe and comfortable. 

• Improved patient and carer experience, safety and recovery. 

• Fewer avoidable A&E attendances and hospital admissions. 

• Better continuity between crisis, community and hospital services. 

• More consistent referral, assessment and care processes. 

• Stronger, better trained teams that are equipped for the future.

• Greater involvement of patients, carers and people with lived experience. 

• Closer partnership working and more joined-up care.

Referrals are accepted from:

•    GPs and other healthcare professionals.
•    Police, ambulance, and fire service.
•    Non-mental health professionals (e.g. adult social care, housing, substance misuse).
•    Voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise partners (NHS Greater Manchester contracted partners only).
•    Acute and urgent care services, including A&E.
•    Mental health liaison teams.
•    NHS 111.    •    Mental health urgent triage (MHUT).
•    Community mental health services (e.g. neighbourhood mental health, specialist mental health and early intervention teams).
•    Approved mental health professionals
•    Qualified mental health practitioners (e.g. nurse, social worker, occupational therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist).
•    Inpatient services (supported early discharge and appropriate 72-hour follow up).

Referral accepted

• Aged 18-65 (day before 65th birthday) and ordinarily resident within the service footprint. GP registration desirable but not essential.
• Experiencing crisis, requiring urgent assessment.
• Likely to result in admission, without intervention.
• Needs short-term intensive home-based support, risk management, or frequent/daily contact.
• Requires intensive support following discharge from ward.
• Risks can be safely managed in the community.
• Able to engage, or engagement can be developed.
• Co-existing substance misuse doesn’t exclude assessment where crisis is present.

Individual may be experiencing:

• Self-harm, suicidal thoughts, significant emotional distress, behavioural disturbance, or other indicators of an escalating mental health crisis.

• Rapid deterioration in their mental health and wellbeing associated with:
  • Breakdown or loss of support systems
  • Acute interpersonal or environmental stressors
  • Abuse, exploitation, or safeguarding concerns.

Referral may not be accepted:

• No acute change or crisis, and difficulties are longstanding/chronic.
• Safety cannot be maintained in the community and requires 24-hour supervision.
• Needs can be met through primary care or service/s already involved in their care.
• Primary need is substance misuse without mental health crisis.
• Primary need is organic disorder, requiring specialist support.
• Primary need is learning disability or neurodevelopment disorder, without crisis. 
• Primary issue is housing, social care or practical support.
• Physical health needs urgent intervention.
• Under effects of intoxication or withdrawal, preventing meaningful assessment.
• Severe cognitive impairment or reduced consciousness.
• Requests for routine review, medication monitoring, or planned care.
• Need for longer-term intervention beyond the scope of a crisis service.

Referrals from professionals working outside of mental health services:

For full details please see the tailored referral guide that has been shared. If you haven't received a copy, or need it re-sending, please contact your local team on the number below.

Before referring to us, please assess the patient (face-to-face or via phone by exception) using the referral guidance above.

If the patient meets the guidance: 

• All referrals must be made via phone. This allows the practitioner to discuss and understand the patient’s needs and what support is most appropriate
• Where clinically appropriate, the patient should remain available during triage to provide additional information, agree appointment arrangements, and explore alternative support options identified during the discussion.
• Up to date patient contact details are vital.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​If the patient doesnt meet the guidance:

Please follow your usual processes and contact the most appropriate service for their needs.

Referrals from mental health professionals

Details to be added

From Monday 28 September:

• Bury: 0161 716 1066 / 07517 576 478
• Rochdale borough: 01706 676 161 / 07912 454 807
• Oldham: 0161 716 2220 / / 07517 581 408
• Stockport: 0161 716 5825 / 07912 454 308
• Tameside and Glossop: to follow