From October, Accident and Emergency patients presenting at Grimsby’s Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital will benefit from mental health support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

We have successfully secured NHS England funds to enhance our dedicated hospital liaison service.

A team of NAViGO health professionals including trained mental health nurses, senior clinical leads and a consultant psychiatrist are accessible for mental health related referrals while providing professional medical support and advice to the hospital’s busy emergency department.

NAViGO team lead Lucy Spiring, said: “We’re delighted to have been awarded funding enabling us to enhance the current service further. It allows us to offer a more holistic service aimed at the particular needs of the service user and the conditions they present with be this symptoms of dementia, episodes of self-harm or substance misuse.

“We know that mental ill health can affect anyone at any time and have already been busy supporting the A&E department since we officially launched in 2018. Offering the service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week will ensure that the right support is always available to people who are presenting at hospital in a mental health crisis.”

Added benefits of the service expansion include reducing the risk of patients self-discharging with unaddressed needs, ensuring more individuals receive follow up care and support from staff when they leave hospital.

Not only does the expansion and growth of the team help meet the needs of the local population, creating a more streamlined service but it also take pressure off hospital staff.

We're also working collaboratively to offer hospital staff training and advice around mental health.

In recent months, we have also been on hand to support staff across the Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospital Trusts with their own mental health needs during the coronavirus global pandemic providing dedicated support to frontline key workers at both Grimsby and Scunthorpe hospitals.

The hospital liaison service is for individuals who present at A&E requiring medical attention who may require specialist mental health support, assessment or intervention.

Anyone requiring mental health support can still access NAViGO services directly:

  • If you’re in a mental health crisis and need urgent help, call the Single Point of Access on (01472) 256256 and select option 3. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Alternatively, you can call NHS 111 free from a landline or mobile phone.
  • Open Minds offers a range of therapies aimed at helping you to deal with anxiety and should be your first port of call if you’re looking for support. You can self-refer to Open Minds online.
  • Safespace crisis café provides instant support if you’re vulnerable and need assistance with your mental health out-of-hours.

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