This Psychiatric Emergency Plan (PEP) clearly sets out clear and concise guidance for staff who may be involved in emergency psychiatric situations.

The PEP is inclusive of all ages and care groups, and is applicable across all mental health services including:

  • Adult Mental Health Services
  • Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
  • Older Adult Mental Health Services
  • Learning Disability Services
  • Alcohol And Drug Services
  • Inpatient Mental Health Services.

However, the PEP recognises that a psychiatric emergency may occur in any setting, and most likely will occur out-with mental health services i.e. within the community, community hospitals, and/ or acute hospitals. Therefore, it is important that the PEP is a clear, quick reference guidance to aid staff not only across Acute, Health & Social Care Partnerships, but to enable our wider key stakeholders such as Police Scotland, Scottish Ambulance Services, and Primary Care.

This PEP is not intended to replace detailed pre-existing plans, but addresses key responsibilities and procedures that should be followed in an emergency psychiatric situation.

As such, it will not provide any information on the usual status quo for services, for details of these, please refer to appropriate individual operational procedure documents Clinical Guidelines/SOPs/LOPs Ratified by CDSG (only available on the Athena intranet)