EPUT: Functional Intensive Response and Support Team (FIRST - Mid Essex)

The Functional Intensive Response and Support Team (FIRST) provides intensive mental health support for older adults (70+) in Mid Essex. We can provide interventions in your home instead of a hospital admission, with your agreement and if it is safe to do so. If you are to be admitted to hospital, the FIRST team will work closely with you, the hospital team and other agencies to plan your discharge and continue your treatment at home for the first two to six weeks.

We accept referrals from health professionals who have carried out an assessment of your needs and risks, or you can self-refer by calling our helpline on 01245 515304 (8am-8pm, 7 days a week). Out of hours: Crisis Response Service call 111, Option 2.

We will assess, treat and support you in your own home. Within the first three days, we will visit you and carry out:

• An assessment of your mental health needs
• A plan of care including your needs and how you can be supported at home, agreed with you and your
  mental health practitioner
• A physical health screening
• Consent to share form and a carers assessment referral will also be offered

Initially, you will be visited daily by a mental health practitioner. They will provide on-going support and strategies to help you to cope with the reasons contributing to you becoming unwell. This will be reviewed twice a week and the frequency of visits can be increased or reduced, according to your needs and risks at the time.We will be involved in your care for a limited time, on average between two to six weeks. This can be increased or decreased, dependent on the pace of your recovery.

Following treatment, we will transfer you to another service to continue the care and treatment if necessary. If you provide consent, we will also work closely with other professionals who are involved in your care. This includes your GP, district nurses or other physical health nurses, social care etc.

EPUT: Functional Intensive Response and Support Team (FIRST - Mid Essex) FIRST Mental Health Support older adult support home treatment Anxiety assessment carers assessment psychological services Family Support signposting 70+ Community Health/NHS