A&E unit gets dedicated mental health nurse team

A team of mental health nurses has been stationed in a hospital’s accident and emergency department to offer immediate help to patients.

Previously, patients who presented with mental health issues at Furness General Hospital's A&E had to wait for specialist nurses to travel from another trust to be assessed.

Dedicated team

Now a dedicated team of four mental health nurses at the hospital in Cumbria means patients can be seen by a specialist nurse within two hours of arrival.

The team will also provide up to 72 hours of support following a patient's initial consultation.

Better Care Together

The move is part of an initiative between primary, community, social and hospital care organisations in North Lancashire and South Cumbria called Better Care Together.

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust chief nurse Sue Smith said: ‘Providing hospital care isn’t just about treating the physical symptoms.

‘Sometimes, our patients require support for various different mental health issues, and we want to be able to provide this as quickly as possible for those who need it.

'Improve services'

‘This is a fantastic example of how working closely with other healthcare providers in the area can really improve services for patients and local people.’

For more information:

Better Care Together