Mental Health Trust to open new service at York Hospital

A brand new mental health and self-harm assessment service run by Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LYPFT) is set to open in York Hospital Emergency Department later this year.

The Acute Liaison Psychiatry Service (ALPS) will be provided in the Emergency Department (ED), 24 hours a day, seven days a week meaning people accessing ED with mental health problems will see a significant improvement in their access to care.

Assessments,for people aged 18 and over, will be conducted by a Mental Health Nurse based at the service. The service will also be staffed by a Senior Clinical Lead, who will provide clinical expertise between 9am and 5pm weekdays, and a Consultant Psychiatrist to provide medical support and supervision for staff.

ALPS will be part funded by the Trust, York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (YTHFT) and the York Better Care Fund during the remainder of 2014 and from 2015 onwards, fully funded by Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group. It has been estimated that the running cost of the service is £550k.

Jill Copeland, Chief Operating Officer of LYPFT, said: “I am pleased that we’ve been able to work in partnership with YTHFT and the CCG to get this service off the ground this year. The service will make a big difference to the quality of care for people with mental health problems in the emergency department. ”

The CCG’s Chief Operating Officer, Rachel Potts said: “In line with our work to improve the quality of care for people with mental health conditions in the Vale of York, we are delighted to confirm that the CCG has given the go ahead to establish an Acute Liaison Psychiatry Service at York Hospital.

“This new development will provide a dedicated mental health service to the hospital’s emergency department 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for patients aged 18 and over.”

Mike Proctor, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Nurse at York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We welcome this development as it will provide much needed support for some of our most vulnerable patients. Having dedicated mental health staff working alongside our ED team will mean that all of our patients will receive the care they need from the right healthcare professional and improve the service we are able to provide for people with mental health conditions.”

For more information please contact:

Sarah Elwell

Communications Officer

Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

T: 0113 305 5989
E: sarahelwell@nhs.net

06 May 2014