24/7 HCP Line

 

Provider

Initial Response Service (IRS) – 24/7 Health Professional Line

Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Can offer advice and/or arrange for same-day assessments remotely or in person. If already known to specialist mental health services, the IRS will contact the appropriate team.

Referral criteria

Aged 18yr or older with:

• High (but not imminent) risk of suicide, harm to others (through violence or aggression) or incurred through exploitation or vulnerability.
• Risky behaviour associated with thought disturbance e.g. psychosis, delirium, dementia.
• Need for Mental Health Act assessment.

Not exhaustive.

 

Exclusions

• Stable mental health condition with no need for acute intervention.
• Dementia assessment.

 

 

Required information prior to referral

• Consent.
• Up-to-date contact number for patient.

 

Referral process

If no acute medical need, phone the 24/7 Health Professional Line on (01209) 881 999.

 

Alternative services

If acute medical need, such as deliberate self-harm or overdose, admit to RCHT ED for Liaison Psychiatry review after medical assessment.

If refusing assessment, consider calling 999 in emergencies or 101 in non-emergencies and request a police welfare check.

 

Review date	30th November 2023
Next review date	30th November 2024
Clinical editor	Dr Laura Vines
Contributors	Dr Jeremy Sandbrook, consultant psychiatrist Jane Pitts, operational manager crisis services
Version	1.0