Psychiatric clinical decisions unit

Before you arrive

To help you feel comfortable during your time at the PCDU, we encourage you to bring a small overnight bag, a few changes of clothes & any essentials you may need.

Please also bring any medication you are currently taking, in its original packaging.

A QR code will be provided that gives a full list of what you can bring and what items are best left at home, so you can feel prepared before you arrive. Food and drink will be provided on the unit.

We have showers and washing facilities available for you to use during your stay. The unit also includes a same‑sex shared lounge with recliner chairs and a garden area where you can get some fresh air.

During your stay

During your time at the PCDU, you will meet a team of mental health professionals who are here to support you, answer your questions, and help you feel safe.

Our team includes:

• Registered mental health practitioners
• Team co-ordinator
• Clinical lead
• Healthcare support workers
• Housekeepers
• Advanced clinical practitioner
• Psychiatrists
• Social workers

Please note that not all practitioners are available on the unit 24/7.
 

During your time on the PCDU, you’ll have a gentle, supportive assessment to help us understand what you’re going through. This usually includes:

• A friendly introduction so you know who you’re speaking with and what to expect.
• A conversation about how you’re feeling, what has brought you here, and any worries you may have.
• Talking through your mental and physical health, including medication and anything affecting your wellbeing.
• Time to involve someone you trust, such as a family member or friend, if you wish.
• Support while you settle, as you may stay on the unit for up to 48 hours while we monitor how you’re doing.
• Planning the next steps together, so you leave with a clear idea of what support will follow.

Access to other services

During your time on the PCDU, our team may work with other agencies and services involved in mental health care.

With your consent, we can liaise with Crisis Teams, Mental Health Liaison, community services, your GP, or other support agencies to make sure you receive the right help after you leave the unit.

Your care

• Understanding how you’re feeling and what has brought you into crisis.
• Managing difficult emotions, anxiety, or distress.
• Talking through your worries with a mental health professional.
• Reviewing your medication and discussing any concerns.
• Keeping you safe if you’re feeling overwhelmed or having suicidal thoughts.
• Creating a short‑term plan to support you after you leave the unit.
• Linking you with other services such as Crisis Teams, your GP, community mental health services, or other support agencies.
• Practical coping strategies to help you manage symptoms in the moment.
• Support for your family or carers, if you would like them involved.
• Signposting to ongoing support, therapy options, and community resources.

Reasonable adjustments

At PCDU, we want your stay to be as comfortable and accessible as possible. We can offer reasonable adjustments where possible, such as:

• Providing a quieter space when available.
• Supporting communication needs (written information, easy‑read, or additional explanation).
• Allowing flexibility around routines where safe and appropriate.
• Helping you access items or support that make you feel more at ease.

We are committed to providing care that respects equality, diversity, and the individual needs of every person.

We also understand that your faith, spirituality, or personal beliefs may be an important part of your wellbeing. We are committed to creating a supportive environment where your religious needs are recognised and respected.

Your consent

We always respect your confidentiality. However, there are times when carers have important background information that can help us understand your needs and keep you safe.

If you choose not to give consent for us to share information with your carer:

• We will not share any personal or clinical information about you with them.
• But we can still listen to carers and accept information from them, as this may help us build a more complete picture during your assessment and care planning.

This means carers can still tell us anything they feel is important, but your information will not be shared back with them unless you agree to it.

If you would like to talk more about confidentiality and how we manage consent, please speak to a member of staff — we’re always happy to explain.

Carer support

We recognise how important carers, family, and loved ones are in a person’s recovery. While someone is staying in PCDU, we aim to support carers as much as we support patients.

Carers can expect:

• Information and updates.
• With the patient’s consent, we will keep carers informed about what to expect from PCDU, the care being provided, and the plans moving forward.
• A chance to share their views.
• Carers often know the person best. We welcome carers’ insights about what helps, what doesn’t, and any concerns they may have.
• Support from staff.
• Our team can offer guidance on coping during a crisis, understanding the person’s needs, and where to find additional help.
• Signposting to carer services
• We can help link carers with local support organisations, including emotional support, practical help, carer assessments, and peer support.
• Involvement in discharge planning
• With the patient’s consent, carers can be involved in discussions about next steps, follow‑up care, and safety planning.

If you are a carer and would like support, information, or to share your concerns, please speak to a member of staff at any time. We are here to help.

Leaving PCDU

When you are discharged from PCDU, the next steps depend on the outcome of your assessment and level of ongoing need. In all cases, PCDU aims to ensure a safe, least‑restrictive, recovery‑focused transition back into the community or to the most appropriate care setting.

After your stay, we’ll work with you to agree on the next steps that feel right for you. These may include Support from the Crisis Resolution & Home Treatment Team (CRHT), Community mental health team, crisis house, hospital admission. The practitioners will explain these services in much more detail for you to make an informed decision around the next steps.

If you require non‑clinical support:

• Signposting or referral to housing, social care, crisis cafés, peer support, safeguarding pathways, or voluntary sector services.

Additional information

Smoking

• PCDU is part of a completely smoke‑free environment.
• Smoking is not allowed anywhere on LPFT premises, including the PCDU garden and surrounding areas.
• If you wish to smoke, this must be done off the LPFT site. Staff can show you where you can smoke.

Vaping

• Vaping is allowed in the PCDU garden, which is our designated outdoor vaping area.
• Please use this space respectfully and dispose of any waste responsibly.