18 November 2016

For immediate release

£750,000 invested in mental health crisis care

CNWL has won investment to develop three S136 rooms (all en-suite) on the ground floor at St Charles Hospital, including a specifically-designed suite for young patients under 18. At present the health based place of safety at St Charles is only open to adults.

S136 refers to the powers the police have to bring people they are concerned about from a public place to a health-based pace of safety (HBPOS).

There are eight HBPOS across North West London; of these, only three (Hammersmith and Fulham, Hounslow, and Ealing) are suitable for children and young people.

By providing this additional site in Kensington and Chelsea, we can support more young people, closer to home, 24/7.

The development will also raise standards with better practice and quality of experience, especially for young people.

This also aligns to the Health London Partnership's report on 'Improving care for children and young people in mental health crisis in London: Recommendations for transformation of services'.

The Trust will continue to work with all stakeholders and partner organisations - like the police and Local Authority - so operational pathways and models of care are aligned.

Stephanie Bridger, CNWL Divisional Director, said: "This is terrific news for mental health services. We made a business case for better facilities for very vulnerable people. We already have a great record in London, built on partnership with the police, where virtually no one is taken to a police cell when they really need hospital care. This investment reinforces that record and provides extra space for young people found in distress. The pay-off is better care for unwell people."

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
Stephenson House, 75 Hampstead Road, London NW1 2PL
Tel: 020 3214 5756 e-mail:communications.cnwl@nhs.net