Accessing Services
What to do in an emergency
See what to do in an emergency (link this to the page) if you feel that you, or a person you are concerned about, need emergency treatment.
How to get in touch with services
Most of our referrals come from GPs (family doctors) or other mental health professionals. If you experience any mental health problems, you should first see your GP. If necessary they will refer you to the most appropriate service in the area.
We also have Accident and Emergency Liaison services if your circumstances are serious. We accept self-referrals to our some of our drug and alcohol services. There is a drop in session Monday to Friday 1pm until 4pm at:
- The Ingrow Centre
- 200 South Street
- Keighley
- BD21 1BB
What to expect when being referred to a service
We provide a thorough mental health assessment and will then shape a package best suited to your needs. Depending on the severity of your mental illness care will be provided in community settings or on one of our inpatient wards. You will be offered a Care Programme Approach which is a way of making sure services are planned, delivered and reviewed around your needs.
Staying on an inpatient ward
What to bring:
- At least two sets of day clothing
- Outside shoes
- Nightwear and slippers
- Toiletries (razorblades will be kept safely by staff)
- Comb or hairbrush
- Coat
- Underwear
- Small change for the payphone
What not to bring:
- Alcohol
- Illicit drugs (These will be taken away from you and disposed of. The police may be informed.)
- Jewellery and valuables, or more money than you need for routine purchases
- Glass bottles
- Plastic bags
- Sharp objects, such as knives, nail clippers or cutlery
- Mobile phones (Mobile phones may not be used on the wards. There is a payphone. If you do not have any small change, please talk to a member of staff.)
- Electrical items including TVs, stereo systems and computer equipment.
Other items that may be considered hazardous will be removed at the discretion of staff. If you cannot avoid bringing valuables, please hand them in to one of the nurses for safe-keeping. We cannot accept liability for any valuable items that you have not handed in for safe-keeping.
Physical health and general well-being
So we can meet your needs it is important to let us know if you have any physical health problems or dietary requirements. Please also let us know if you have been taking any medication.
Concerns about care and treatment
Our staff are expected to behave in a courteous and respectful manner at all times However, if you have any concerns or are unhappy with your care, you should first speak to the nurse in charge or your care coordinator, or the team/ward manager. We also offer advice through our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) which deals with concerns, complaints as well as praise for our services.
Seeing family and friends while staying on a ward
Family and friends are welcome to visit patients during visiting times. To maintain the privacy and dignity of all patients on the ward, visitors are not permitted in any bedrooms.
All visits to our secure units must be booked with the ward in advance. During periods of the day when nurses and other clinical staff spend direct time with patients and at meal times no visitors are allowed on wards. We may sometimes have to refuse a visitor entry if we feel that the visit is not in the patient's best interests.
Visiting times
Each service will give you information on visiting times and any special visiting arrangements you need to be aware of. If you are not able to attend during normal visiting hours, please contact the ward and special arrangements may be made. See the visiting times and arrangements for each individual ward
Bringing children or young people to visit
We realise it is important for children to be able to visit relatives in hospital, and allowing families to maintain contact is an important part of a person's recovery. Each ward has special arrangements for children's visits. Some sites have introduced special family room facilities. If you are planning to visit with children we strongly recommend you make arrangements with ward staff beforehand. This also applies to young people between 16 and 18 years.