Mental Health Urgent Assessment Centre (MHUAC)
If you are in crisis right now, please visit our help in a mental health crisis page for advice and details of who to contact.
The service
The Trust has a Mental Health Urgent Assessment Centre (MHUAC) at the Radbourne Unit in Derby, adjacent to the Royal Derby Hospital. The centre supports patients already in attendance at the Emergency Department (ED) in the Royal Derby Hospital, whose mental health needs could be better supported in the MHUAC.
Referral criteria
Referrals will only be taken from our Liaison Team working at the Royal Derby Hospital.
Base
Mental Health Urgent Assessment Centre (MHUAC)
Radbourne Unit
Uttoxeter Road
Derby
DE22 3WQ
Frequently asked questions:
A MHUAC is a specialist facility, often located near emergency departments and designed to provide immediate, calm, and safe care for people in mental health crisis. This new service does not replace our community services or GP access. People should continue to be supported where most appropriate.
The MHUAC will not be a mental health emergency department. The MHUAC is a specialist 24/7 assessment centre brings together skilled clinicians to provide more suitable support for people experiencing a self-defined mental health crisis, with a more appropriate assessment timeframe. The MHUAC does not have beds or the facilities for overnight stays and is unable to accept walk-in patients.
The criteria for the MHUAC is strictly for people who present with a self-defined mental health crisis, where intervention will result in a better patient experience whilst easing pressure on the acute ED.
For patients
- a therapeutic environment and timely access to mental health assessment and interventions where needed, resulting in less waiting time in a more inappropriate facility
- low-stimulus sensory environments to allow patients to safely decompress from their emotions, distress and anxiety
- rooms that enable each person to have a private and confidential space where they can be supported and assessed
- faster service for patient – rapid assessment with an aim of up to four hours
- improved patient experience.
For staff
- more streamlined and rapid assessment of patients
- closer working with other teams, bringing urgent assessment services into one centre.
For carers
- space where family members/friends/carers can wait with the person
- improved privacy, dignity and outcomes.
For the Derbyshire system:
- essential support for individuals in mental health crisis while reducing the pressure on traditional emergency departments
- using data, investment will be targeted to meet demand
- partnerships with other providers and services to ensure safe, planned, and joined up care in the local system
- developed pathways will ensure seamless and smooth transitions between services to avoid people slipping through the net.
