Acute Inpatient Mental Health Services
Immediate Support for Mental Health Crisis – Referral Available 24/7
If you or a loved one needs urgent mental health care, contact our referrals team now for immediate assessment and admission.


What are Acute Inpatient Mental Health Services?
Acute inpatient mental health care is designed for individuals experiencing severe psychological distress that cannot be safely managed in the community. This includes those who:
- Are at risk of harm to themselves or others
- Require intensive psychiatric support due to severe mental illness
- Need medically supervised stabilisation for acute episodes
- Require crisis intervention for conditions such as psychosis, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe depression, or personality disorders
Battersea Bridge Hospital is at the forefront of acute mental health care, providing rapid access to 24/7 inpatient support, crisis intervention, and expert psychiatric treatment.
Our Approach:
Immediate Intervention & Personalised Recovery
Our acute inpatient services follow a three-phase approach:
Crisis Intervention & Stabilisation – Immediate psychiatric assessment, risk management, and crisis de-escalation
Structured Treatment Programmes – Intensive psychological therapies, medication management, and multi-disciplinary interventions
Recovery & Transition Planning – Preparing for discharge, connecting with community services, and ensuring long-term stability
1. Crisis Intervention: Rapid Admission & 24/7 Psychiatric Care
Mental health crisis require immediate action. Our crisis intervention teams assess and admit individuals in distress, ensuring safe, rapid access to inpatient care.
- Emergency admissions are available 24/7
- Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation upon arrival
- Immediate medication management for stabilisation
- Multi-disciplinary care team including psychiatrists, nurses, psychologists, and social workers
Conditions We Treat
- Severe Depression with suicidal thoughts or self-harm risks
- Psychotic Episodes including hallucinations, delusions, and schizophrenia
- Manic or Bipolar Episodes requiring urgent stabilisation
- Personality Disorders presenting with extreme distress or crisis behaviours
- Severe Anxiety & PTSD impacting daily functioning
- Complex Trauma & Co-occurring Substance Use Disorders
Immediate Referral Available – Call Now for Rapid Assessment
2. Specialised Treatment Programmes: Evidence-Based Recovery
Once stabilisation is achieved, our inpatient units provide structured, evidence-based treatment programmes tailored to individual needs. These include:
Psychiatric Treatment & Medication Management
- 24/7 psychiatric support with medication reviews & monitoring
- Treatment-resistant cases benefit from advanced medication strategies
- Regular mental state evaluations ensuring treatment effectiveness
Psychological Therapies
Our therapeutic interventions follow NICE guidelines and include:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – Identifying negative thought patterns
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) – Emotional regulation for personality disorders#
- Schema Therapy – Addressing long-term emotional difficulties
- Family Therapy – Rebuilding support networks and communication
- Trauma-Focused Therapy – Processing distressing life events
Occupational & Holistic Therapies
- Art & Music Therapy – Creative self-expression for emotional healing
- Mindfulness & Meditation – Reducing stress and improving emotional regulation
- Physical Health Programmes – Exercise therapy, yoga, and wellness sessions
- Treatment Timetable: A structured daily schedule ensures active engagement in therapies, education sessions, and skill-building workshops.
Our Referral Process is Simple – Submit a Request Now for a Same-Day Response
3. Long-Term Inpatient Care: Complex & Forensic Mental Health Needs
For individuals with chronic mental health conditions or those requiring extended support, our long-term inpatient services provide a structured, rehabilitation-focused environment.
- Bespoke Treatment Pathways – Tailored to severe, enduring mental illness
- Forensic Mental Health Support – For patients stepping down from secure units
- Community Reintegration Support – Developing independent living skills
- Long-Term Relapse Prevention – Continued psychological support and gradual discharge planning
Refer a Patient Today – We Accept NHS, Private & Insurance-Funded Admissions
Battersea Bridge Hospital:
Expert Inpatient Mental Health Care
Battersea Bridge Hospital is a specialist provider of acute mental health inpatient services. The hospital offers:
Dedicated acute mental health wards with expert staff
24/7 psychiatric care & crisis intervention
Safe & therapeutic environment for stabilisation and recovery
Integrated approach combining medical, psychological, and holistic care
Tailored discharge planning ensuring a seamless transition back to the community
Refer a Patient Today – We Accept NHS, Private & Insurance-Funded Admissions
The Care Journey: What to Expect
Step 1: Urgent Admission & Initial Assessment
When an individual is in crisis, immediate psychiatric intervention is crucial. Our urgent admission process is designed to eliminate delays, prioritise safety, and begin treatment as quickly as possible.
What Happens During Admission?
Emergency Mental Health Assessment (Within 24 Hours)
Upon arrival, a comprehensive mental health assessment is conducted by a consultant psychiatrist and multi-disciplinary team (MDT). This assessment includes:
- A detailed psychiatric history and clinical presentation review
- Understanding triggers, symptoms, and risk factors
- Identifying co-occurring conditions such as substance misuse or medical complications
- Assessing the patient’s mental state, cognition, and behavioural patterns
Immediate Risk Assessment & Safety Planning
We prioritise patient safety from the moment they arrive. A thorough risk assessment is conducted to determine:
- Self-harm or suicide risks
- Potential risk to others
- History of aggression, self-neglect, or psychotic symptoms
- Environmental and social risk factors
Based on the comprehensive risk assessment conducted upon admission, an individualised safety plan is developed to ensure the patient’s immediate and ongoing well-being. This plan is tailored to the severity of the crisis, the individual’s specific needs, and any potential risks identified. For individuals deemed high-risk, enhanced observation levels may be implemented, such as one-to-one support or continuous monitoring to prevent self-harm or harm to others.
Additionally, environmental modifications are made within the hospital setting to create a secure and therapeutic space, minimising access to potential hazards while maintaining a sense of dignity and comfort. In cases where a patient exhibits extreme distress, aggression, or agitation, seclusion or de-escalation strategies may be used as a last resort, always following best practice guidelines to uphold patient rights and safety.
A key component of this safety plan is collaborative crisis planning, which involves the patient, their family (where appropriate), and the clinical team working together to establish personalised coping strategies, identify triggers, and agree on intervention approaches. This holistic and person-centred approach ensures that each individual receives the appropriate level of support while empowering them to actively participate in their own recovery journey.
Crisis Intervention with Medical & Psychological Support
Once admitted, patients receive immediate interventions to alleviate distress and begin the recovery process. This includes:
- Rapid initiation of psychiatric medication (if required) to stabilise symptoms
- Psychological first aid to provide emotional support and reassurance
- Physical health checks to address any medical concerns
- Family and carer communication to provide updates and involve loved ones in care planning
✔ Our Priority: Ensuring Patients Feel Safe, Supported & Understood from Day One
Step 2: Stabilisation & Intensive Treatment
Once a patient has been assessed and stabilised, intensive treatment begins. This phase focuses on identifying root causes, managing symptoms, and equipping patients with coping strategies.
a. Key Components of Stabilisation & Treatment
Medication Management & Optimisation
Medication is a vital part of the stabilisation process for many patients. Our approach includes:
Regular psychiatric reviews to monitor effectiveness and side effects
- Adjustments to medication regimens based on clinical response
- Education on medication adherence and understanding treatment benefits
b. Structured Daily Therapeutic Sessions
A personalised treatment programme is developed for each patient, integrating evidence-based psychological therapies, psychoeducation, and holistic care. A typical daily therapy schedule includes:
- Individual Therapy – Sessions with psychologists and psychiatrists focusing on cognitive restructuring, emotional regulation, and trauma processing
- Group Therapy – Sessions such as CBT, DBT, psychoeducation, and relapse prevention groups
- Occupational Therapy – Developing life skills, routines, and engagement in meaningful activities
- Physical Health & Well-being – Yoga, mindfulness, exercise therapy, and nutritional guidanc
c. Multi-Disciplinary Case Reviews
Patient progress is closely monitored by the MDT (psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, occupational therapists, and social workers) through weekly case conferences. These reviews ensure:
- Treatment plans remain dynamic and adaptable
- Therapeutic progress is evaluated and adjusted
- Patients are fully engaged in their own recovery journey
Personalised Care Pathway: Each patient’s progress is mapped against clear recovery milestones, with goals set collaboratively between the patient and clinical team.
Step 3: Recovery & Transition Planning
Recovery does not end when a patient is discharged. We believe in comprehensive transition planning to ensure that every individual is fully supported as they move towards independent living or continued care in the community.
What Happens During the Transition Phase?
Individualised Discharge Planning & Community Support Coordination
A discharge planning team works closely with the patient, their family, and external care providers to ensure a smooth, supported transition. Discharge planning includes:
- Identifying ongoing treatment needs (therapy, medication, social support)
- Securing housing, employment, and daily living support if needed
- Connecting patients with community mental health teams, GPs, and aftercare services
- Aftercare Support: Ensuring Long-Term Stability
The period after discharge is critical. We provide:
- Outpatient follow-up therapy to continue psychological support
- 24/7 crisis helpline for patients requiring urgent post-discharge support
- Relapse prevention programmes that teach coping strategies to manage symptoms and stressors
Collaboration with GPs & Community Mental Health Teams
We work with local mental health teams, social workers, and primary care providers to ensure patients have ongoing, consistent support in the community. This collaboration includes:
- Regular GP follow-ups for medication management
- Ongoing psychotherapy and support groups
- Peer support networks to maintain engagement
✔ Recovery is a Journey – We Ensure Every Patient Has the Tools to Succeed
Aftercare & Community Support
Successful mental health treatment doesn’t end at discharge. Our aftercare services ensure individuals remain supported and stable once they leave inpatient care.
- Outpatient follow-up appointments
- 24/7 crisis helpline for ongoing support
- Referrals to community mental health teams
- Family & carer support programmes
Mental health crisis requires urgent action. Whether for yourself, a loved one, or a patient under your care, our acute inpatient mental health services provide the fastest, safest, and most effective intervention available.
Immediate Bed Availability – No Waiting Lists
Act Now – Every Second Counts in a Mental Health Crisis