What to expect from our services

We want to help people experiencing a mental health problem get the treatment and support they need as quickly and effectively as possible.

The emphasis of our services is on recovery which means helping people to get on with their lives and to focus on the things that are important to them.

As well as health and social care, we can support people to do things like get work, keep an existing job, sort out accommodation or deal with family issues.

Most people who use our services will have been referred to a team based in the community such as:

• a community mental health team (CMHT) or recovery support team - these teams are made up of different mental health professionals
• an early intervention team - these teams support young people experiencing their first episode of psychosis.

We are taking great precautions and changing ways of working across our services during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the safety of all our staff and patients.

We are offering more virtual (online or telephone) appointments, to ensure that patients are only brought on-site where necessary, helping us to adhere to social distancing. Please refer to the information in your appointment letter to confirm how your appointment will take place. If you need any support using digital methods to access a virtual appointment, please call the number on your letter and we will help you get this.

If you wish to request a face-to-face appointment, please call us and we will try to accommodate this.

Face-to-face appointments: Please do not attend your appointment if you have COVID-19 symptoms (a high temperature, a new continuous cough or a loss of sense of taste / smell) or if you or your family are self-isolating.

When you visit our sites:

• Wear a face covering. We will provide you with one if needed. Children under 12, and anyone with an exemption, will not need to wear a mask, in line with government guidelines.
• To minimise the risk of infection, and to support social distancing, we need to limit the number of people on-site. So we ask you to attend your appointment alone, unless you have assistance or communication needs.
• Only one parent or carer can attend with each child. We are able to make exceptions if a second carer is needed to support the child because of their additional needs. We will do our best to accommodate in these circumstances, but please call us in advance so we can discuss and make arrangements.
• Please arrive no more than 10 minutes early for your appointment, ensure you sanitise your hands upon arrival and respect social distancing guidance during your visit, including while with your clinician