A growing development in out-of-hours cover is psychiatric staff available, on duty or in wards nearby, to deal with people requiring their services, presenting themselves at the hospital's 24-hour 'Casualty' point. These staff can link in to ward staff, Duty staff, other statutory services and voluntary sector networks - and arrange sectioning, if appropriate.
A regular comment to carers is 'If only you could get (your loved-one) to A & E !…..'
A common carer response is 'If only they would agree to go !' - a non-cooperative loved-one may just not want to ask for help that is available - very frustrating for carers !
It is sometimes worth contacting Accident & Emergency by phone, before trying to get there:
- If they can (honestly) not cope with the loved-one, it may save lots of difficulty.
- They may be able to give useful advice.
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