Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust launches single point of access for mental health crisis services
The single point of access - Tel. 0300 0200317 - replaces individual contact numbers for TEWV crisis services in County Durham and Darlington, Teesside and North Yorkshire and York, including those for children and young people and older aged adults.
Those with learning disabilities and/or autism can also access emergency mental health support using this number. The phone-line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, offering callers a series of options which will divert them to the appropriate local service.
Professionals can still get in touch with their local crisis resolution and intensive home treatment teams using the individual team contact details they currently hold.
Ruth Hill, chief operating officer, said: “If a person’s mental or emotional state gets worse quickly, it’s important that they are able to access help fast. Experiencing a mental health crisis can be frightening and can leave people feeling alone, out of control and unable to cope.
"Having a single telephone number means people don’t have to work out who their local team is and which number they need to call when they are in a heightened level of distress; helping to remove barriers to services and ensuring people get the right support, from the right people when they most need it."
Ruth added:
“Over the last couple of years crisis services across TEWV have been focussing on delivering quality improvements that will enhance patient-centred care. We are confident that the new phone line will help improve access and pathways into services whilst complimenting alternative service provision and options.
“We are committed to continuing to improve crisis services to ensure they are ‘fit for the future’ and that they meet the diverse needs of people in the local communities.”
Advice on what to do in a mental health emergency is available on the TEWV website and you can also download more information below.
