What is the Intensive Team?

If you experience a severe mental health crisis, the Intensive team can provide acute care at home. Before intensive services were available, this type of crisis would usually have resulted in a hospital admission.

How does it work?

We are a team of mental health workers, with a broad range of specialist skills and experience.  Our aim is to work closely, effectively and imaginatively with you, your carers, relatives and friends during a period of home treatment.

We want to help you identify possible reasons for your difficulties.  We want to help you to find the best ways to recover and stay well.  This may include both planned and emergency visits, and contact by phone.

There is no time limit when under the care of the team, however involvement is usually short term and on average up to six weeks.

If you have been admitted to hospital and assessed as appropriate, the team will facilitate early discharge from hospital to home.

What will home treatment offer?

  • A team member will contact you within four hours of receiving a referral.
  • Provide hope that change can happen for you and your family.
  • Support for your carers/relatives.
  • Practical support aimed at helping you to develop strategies for coping such as anxiety management and relaxation.
  • Intensive support through frequent contact/home visits.
  • A range of interventions that will support you to move forwards towards your recovery.
  • To help safeguard you from feeling and being unsafe.
  • Specialist support aimed at addressing social isolation and exploring access to the roles, relationships and activities in the communities of your choice.
  • Discharge planning is started at the earliest possible stage should admission to hospital become necessary.

Advocacy

If you, or the person you care for needs someone to speak up for you and your rights, or to help you to speak for yourself, you can contact:

The Advocacy People

An advocate can help you understand your rights and help you get answers to your questions. They can attend meetings with you and speak to people on your behalf.

Tel: 0330 440 9000

Email: info@theadvocacypeople.org.uk

How can I contact the Intensive Team?

Mon – Fri  9am -10pm

Tel: 01793 836820

Please ask if you need an interpreter.

Out of hours Crisis support
From 10pm – 8am Calls are diverted to NHS 111. Please contact this service and press option 2 to speak with a local Mental Health Practitioner. 

Please ask if you need an interpreter.

Deaf /hard of hearing

Text relay

Call 18001 111 using the Relay UK app or a textphone.

Connect to a BSL interpreter

BSL Video Relay

https://connect.interpreterslive.co.uk/vrs?ilc=AvonWiltshireMHT and ask for our number; or for switchboard 01225 731731 to connect you.

In case of medical emergencies, dial 999.

PALS

To make a comment, raise a concern or make a complaint, please contact the Trust’s Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)

Tel: 01225 362 900

Freephone: 0800 073 1778

Email:  awp.pals@nhs.net

 

Other languages and formats

If you need this information in another format (such as large print, Easy Read), please call PALS.

For information in other languages, audio and ‘read aloud’, please click on the Recite Me button at the top of our website

Lead:Intensive Services Swindon Team  Manager

Leaflet code: 039G AWP

Last reviewed: July 2024
Next review due: July 2027