Approved Social Work Service

Description

The Approved Social Work service is an emergency service for people presenting with of mental disorder either in a community or hospital setting . ASWs undertake assessments of individuals based on a medical recommendation by the person's GP and based on their assessment they can make application for the person to be assessed in an acute mental health or learning disability hospital as appropriate .

Referral Criteria

Patient Criteria (Inclusions)

All individuals presenting with what appears to the referral agent as mental disorder and presenting as a risk to self or others will be assessed under the mental Health Order. Article 4 .2 (a) and (b)

Patient Criteria (Exclusions)

There are exclusions under the MHO Article 3 (2) , however both the GP and ASW will assess if appropriate . For example a person may present as being intoxicated and not fit for interview at that time , yet may have an underlying mental disorder.

The referral agent to this emergency service will be concerned that the individual is presenting with symptoms which may indicate a mental disorder and may pose a risk to them selves or other persons . Article 4.2 (a)and (b) Mental Health Order 1986

Service Access

The following list of referrers can access this service via calling the telephone number during the access times listed:

Social Worker,
Psychiatrist,
Medical Practitioner,
Consultant,
CRHTT
Integrated Liaison Service
GP
PSNI

Access Times

Monday - Friday (Excluding public holidays)

9:00am-5:00pm

Telephone

Craigavon Area Hospital Switchboard -

Who will have the on duty ASW and will direct your call

028 3833 4444

Location

Trust Wide service

Response

Immediate/Same day