Service Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit Service

Service overview

We provide care in our safe and secure ward if you are experiencing severe mental health difficulties that may place you at risk of harm to yourself or others. We may offer structured therapy sessions and medication while you’re with us.

Our goal is to work alongside you so that you can safely return home when ready.

You will be supported by our multi-skilled team, which includes:

  • psychiatrists
  • nurses
  • psychologists
  • occupational therapists
  • speech and language therapists
  • physiotherapists
  • dietitians
  • healthcare assistants

Accessing our service

Our service is open to anyone who is registered with a Berkshire GP.

You must be assessed by our Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team (CRHTT) first.

They will refer you to our care if you need to be admitted for a stay in our wards.

If you’re brought directly to hospital by the police, you may be assessed under the Mental Health Act before being referred to our care.

After confirming your referral, we’ll offer you a bed on our ward as soon as possible.

Preparing for an assessment

Your care plan

We’ll offer a full assessment so that we can understand your situation and the difficulties you’re having.

We’ll create a care plan together with you, with the aim of eventually moving you onto one of our acute wards.

You’ll also have access to our therapy service, seven days a week, on our wards and in our Therapy Centre.

Here you can talk with staff and our volunteers if you want to try activities as part of your recovery such as woodwork, gardening, sports activities, and games and puzzles.

Our wards

We have one ward dedicated to psychiatric intensive care. Our wards are safe and secure, and depending on your needs, you may not be able to leave the hospital on your own.

We provide care across mixed‑sex wards, including:

  • Sorrel Ward - with a maximum of 18 beds. 

Managing your health

Patient appointment

Your e-Health Passport

Your e-Health Passport lets us know what's important to you - from your preferred name and pronouns to how you'd like us to support you and communicate with you.

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Contact us and FAQs

Prospect Park Hospital

Mental health inpatients team

Contact number: 0118 960 5000

Post Address: RG30 4EJ

Location details

Frequently asked questions

Will there be a use of force, during my stay?

We understand that being in hospital can sometimes feel unsettling. Because of their mental health condition, some patients may feel uneasy and may pose a risk to themselves, other patients, or staff.

We are committed to working in the spirit of the Mental Health Act and using approaches that help keep patients calm while ensuring the safety of everyone as we provide care.

Do you have any information about your wards?

Yes, you can visit our ward information page to learn more about what to expect if you are admitted to one of our wards at Prospect Park Hospital. You’ll also find a helpful video that explains the process and gives you an idea of what your stay will be like.

We can also help you with

Is there any information for friends, family and carers?

If you’re a family member/carer or you look after someone, there’s practical, financial, and emotional support available to you from a range of local communities and national organisations.  

How do I request an interpreter?

We can provide language translation and interpretation support whenever you visit or contact us.

Tell our staff which language you prefer to use, and we will make sure the right communication support is in place for your assessment and treatment. Please let us know as early as possible so we can ensure the appropriate translation or interpreting support is available.

We offer a range of professional services to ensure everyone can understand and be understood:

  • telephone interpreting
  • video remote interpreting (VRI)
  • face‑to‑face interpreting
  • written translation
  • British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting
How can I get information in an accessible format?

Anyone with a disability, impairment, or sensory loss has the right to receive information in a format that meets their needs. Under the Accessible Information Standard (AIS)—a legal requirement for all health and adult social care providers—we must ensure that people who use our services, including carers and families, can understand the information we provide and communicate effectively with us.

We can offer information in a range of accessible formats, including:

  • British Sign Language (BSL)
  • large print
  • braille
  • audio
  • easy Read
  • email
  • text message
  • face‑to‑face support with a carer or advocate present

If you need information in any of these formats, please tell a member of our team and we will make sure your communication needs are met.

Are service dogs allowed to my appointment?

Yes. You are welcome to bring your registered service animal, such as a guide dog, hearing dog, medical alert dog, or other trained assistance dog to your appointment.

These animals are recognised as essential support and are permitted in most areas of our services.

To help us prepare, please let the team know before your appointment if you will be attending with a service animal. This allows us to make sure the environment is safe and comfortable for you, your animal, and other patients.

Please note that service animals may not be able to enter certain restricted clinical areas for safety or infection‑control reasons, but we will always work with you to find an appropriate alternative.

Treating our team with respect.

Respect is important.

We will be polite and kind and we expect that you treat our staff in the same way.

Abuse, hate and discrimination against our staff is unacceptable.

We will take strong action against anyone who is verbally, racially, physically, or sexually abusive to them.

This includes contacting the police to prosecute, and stopping future access to our healthcare services.

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Mental Health Inpatient Services for adults

  • Adults

Care, therapy, and medication on a secure ward for people experiencing severe mental health difficulties and at risk of harm.

Go to service

Mental Health Inpatient Services for older people

  • Older people

Care, therapy, and medication on a secure ward for older adults experiencing severe mental health difficulties and at risk of harm.

Go to service

Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team

  • Adults

Mental health assessment at home or a community setting and, where possible, treatment to avoid admission to hospital.

Go to service

External support

Mind

Mind work to create a mentally healthy society by providing information, support, and campaigns to tackle mental health stigma and improve access to mental health services in England and Wales

Samaritans

Samaritans is the charity that prevents suicide through the power of human connection. Connecting people in crisis with trained volunteers who will always listen.