Riverside Adolescent Unit, Bristol – Temporary Closure

24.01.2024

We have taken the very difficult decision to temporarily close the Riverside Adolescent Unit in Bristol run by AWP. This is a decision taken collaboratively by senior colleagues at AWP and the South West Provider Collaborative supported by NHS England South West. It follows internal reviews which did not provide assurance that the Unit could consistently deliver a safe level of care moving forward.

The temporary closure includes our inpatient beds and day care service within Riverside. No other services are impacted. 

We will be focussed now on working together with our staff and partners to ensure we can reopen the Unit as soon as possible.

What we do

At the Riverside Adolescent Unit, we provide inpatient care and day patient care for young people who have been under the care of our community teams, but need some additional support. Referrals to Riverside come from community mental health teams, as well as other more specialised units. We work closely with other CAMHS services, adult mental health services, and a range of social care agencies. 

The team at Riverside Adolescent Unit includes a full range of mental health practitioners. 

Young people in our care are assessed and treated in the least restrictive way and for the shortest amount of time possible. Their care pathway gives access to individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, and education, with overarching milieu therapy that provides a safe, contained environment to help young people recover.

Watch a video about our unit