The NHS is responsible for finding a hospital that is best able to care for you, but this may not be close to where you live. Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust provides most of the mental health hospitals in West Sussex.

If there is a delay before a hospital is found, you should be given extra support at home to keep you safe from harm. This might include being provided with some medication on a temporary basis.

How do I get to hospital?

The AMHP is responsible for arranging the transport for you to get to hospital. This will usually be an NHS ambulance, but sometimes it may be necessary to use a private secure ambulance for safety reasons and to manage risk.

What will happen when I arrive at the hospital?

The hospital staff will introduce you to the facilities and show you to your room. Mental health hospitals have single en-suite rooms and shared dining and leisure facilities. There may be a gym, quiet lounge or enclosed garden that you can use.

You will be told how your care and treatment will be arranged, and whether there are any restrictions that you need to be aware of.

By law, your rights of appeal must be explained to you.

The arrangements for people visiting you in hospital will also be explained.

How long will I stay in hospital?

The main priority is to help you get better and support you to leave hospital when the time is right. You will only leave when you no longer need hospital care, and it is safe for you to do so.

Soon after you arrive in hospital the team on the ward will work with you to plan for when you leave. Your carers, family and friends will be involved if you would like them to be included.

You could be referred to mental health services in your local community. If you are already in contact with any of the services, that service should get in touch with you before you leave hospital.

If you have been detained under section 3 of the act, there must be a formal meeting to decide how health and social care services will support you when you leave hospital.

If you have been admitted as a voluntary patient, you will need to speak to the medical and nursing staff about what you want to achieve from your stay in hospital, and work out a plan together.

You will have the right to contact and be represented (free of charge) by the Independent Mental Health Advocacy Service (IMHA). The IMHA is independent of mental health services and can speak on your behalf and tell you about the rights you have by law.
Staff on the ward will give you more details on IMHA.