Lincolnshire Mental Health Urgent Assessment Centre

Quicker support for those in a mental health crisis

The Mental Health Urgent Assessment Centre within Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust (LPFT) was designed as a new service delivery model to offer a safe and therapeutic environment for patients experiencing mental health crisis. The aim is to reduce whole system pressures by directing patients away from Emergency Departments (ED) and enabling onward referral to other more suitable mental health services.

The challenge

When people are in mental health crisis they are at their most vulnerable. It is essential that they receive the care and support they need as quickly as possible, in a place they can feel safe, and they are supported by people who understand their needs. However, patients presenting to the ED in mental health crisis often face long wait times, and inappropriate environments and are seen by non-specialist staff. These presentations also put additional strain on already stretched NHS resources.

The solution

LPFT was awarded funding to launch a Mental Health Urgent Assessment Centre (MHUAC) through the 21/22 Winter Funding initiative. The goal of the centre was to provide a better and quicker response to individuals experiencing mental health emergencies, as opposed to the busier and noisier setting of the emergency department.

Health Innovation East Midlands (HIEM) awarded funding to support the evaluation.

Impacts and outcomes

  • The evaluation showed that 85% of staff and patients felt that the MHUAC was a better alternative to patients with mental health crises being assessed and treated in the Emergency Department (ED).
  • Most patients attending the MHUAC completed the assessment process within three hours compared to 40% of patients with a mental health complaint presenting to ED who wait over six hours for care.
  • Evidence collected also suggests that the MHUAC is delivering cost benefits – a reduction in inpatient attendances and relapses have amounted to around £1,209,350 of savings for the Trust. These benefits could reach over £14.4m annually if scaled up across the Midlands region.

For queries and to receive a copy of the full evaluation report please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Quicker support for those in a mental health crisis

The Mental Health Urgent Assessment Centre within Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust (LPFT) was designed as a new service delivery model to offer a safe and therapeutic environment for patients experiencing mental health crisis. The aim is to reduce whole system pressures by directing patients away from Emergency Departments (ED) and enabling onward referral to other more suitable mental health services.

The challenge

When people are in mental health crisis they are at their most vulnerable. It is essential that they receive the care and support they need as quickly as possible, in a place they can feel safe, and they are supported by people who understand their needs. However, patients presenting to the ED in mental health crisis often face long wait times, and inappropriate environments and are seen by non-specialist staff. These presentations also put additional strain on already stretched NHS resources.

The solution

LPFT was awarded funding to launch a Mental Health Urgent Assessment Centre (MHUAC) through the 21/22 Winter Funding initiative. The goal of the centre was to provide a better and quicker response to individuals experiencing mental health emergencies, as opposed to the busier and noisier setting of the emergency department.

Health Innovation East Midlands (HIEM) awarded funding to support the evaluation.

Impacts and outcomes

  • The evaluation showed that 85% of staff and patients felt that the MHUAC was a better alternative to patients with mental health crises being assessed and treated in the Emergency Department (ED).
  • Most patients attending the MHUAC completed the assessment process within three hours compared to 40% of patients with a mental health complaint presenting to ED who wait over six hours for care.
  • Evidence collected also suggests that the MHUAC is delivering cost benefits – a reduction in inpatient attendances and relapses have amounted to around £1,209,350 of savings for the Trust. These benefits could reach over £14.4m annually if scaled up across the Midlands region.

For queries and to receive a copy of the full evaluation report please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.