Assessment and Recovery Service North Bristol

What is the assessment and recovery service?

We provide assessment, treatment and support for people who have complex mental health problems.

We will help you to understand your difficulties and support you to plan treatment that might promote your recovery.

This will include looking at ways to stay well, setting recovery goals and planning for your discharge.

When do we work?

Bristol Assessment and Recovery Team operate from 8.00am to 8.00pm Mondays to Fridays and there is duty cover over the weekend between 9.00am and 5.00pm.

How do we work?

Our team will work closely with you, your GP and, where possible, with relatives and friends who are supporting you.

You will have a care co-ordinator who will agree a care plan with you, so that everyone is clear about your treatment and how this will help towards your recovery.

Together, we will regularly review your care plan and what support you require.

Some people need higher levels of support at times or struggle with seeking help. We can provide more intensive help when needed.

What do we offer?

Your care co-ordinator or other members of the team can offer:

medication and information on medication;
talking therapies;
help with your family relationships;
help thinking about work or training;
help thinking about your general physical health;
help to recognise the early signs of distress and to find ways of keeping you well;
support for those supporting you;
information about other services that might help your recovery.

Your care co-ordinator is:

Other people involved in your care are:

Working with carers

Family members and/or friends involved in supporting a person with mental health needs are described as carers.

For most carers, the care co-ordinator will be the main point of contact and will give their contact details. Where possible, they will involve carers in the care plan, making sure everyone knows who to contact in an emergency.

Support for carers

If you are a carer, you have the right to a carer’s assessment. This assessment looks at how caring affects your life, your physical, mental and emotional needs, and whether you are able or willing to carry on caring. It also gives you an opportunity to discuss what support or services you might be entitled to receive.

For a referral for a carers assessment, please talk to the care co-ordinator or contact
Rethink Bristol Carer Service on 0117 903 1803.

We can also direct you to networks in your area offering support to carers of people with mental health needs.

Transfer to the crisis team

If you experience a mental health crisis, your care may be transferred temporarily to the Crisis Team. The Crisis team can give more intensive support in times of crisis and aim to help you manage your difficulties while still living in the community and avoid a hospital admission.

If this happens, your Care Co-ordinator will only become involved again when the Crisis Team is ready to hand your care back.

At that point, the Crisis Team and a Care Co-ordinator will review your needs and responsibility for care will be transferred back to the Recovery Team.

Advocacy

If you find it difficult to put your view across or feel you aren’t being listened to you can ask an advocate to support you. Advocacy services are free and confidential.