{"id":9215,"date":"2025-04-01T11:35:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-01T10:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rldatix.com\/en-uki\/?p=9215"},"modified":"2026-04-07T14:42:27","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T13:42:27","slug":"belfast-health-social-care-trust-path","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rldatix.com\/en-uki\/resources\/belfast-health-social-care-trust-path\/","title":{"rendered":"Belfast Health & Social Care Trust – PATH"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Summary<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Belfast Health & Social Care Trust developed PATH (P<\/strong>sychiatric A<\/strong>ssessment & T<\/strong>reatment H<\/strong>ub) as a proactive response to long waits for mental health admissions in Emergency Departments (ED). The service provides a dedicated five-space area, staffed 24\/7 by mental health nurses, where patients can receive immediate assessment and intervention. Based on a general hospital site, PATH also supports patients presenting with increased risk in the community when no mental health bed is available, offering a safer and more responsive alternative to traditional pathways.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Challenge<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

PATH, patients awaiting mental health admission often remained in ED or community settings that were not therapeutic or safe. This led to high demand for one-to-one continuous observations, which placed significant strain on community services, increased staff burnout, and created tension between teams. The reliance on agency staff to meet observation needs escalated costs, while concerns grew that patients were at risk of harm due to delays and unsuitable environments.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Solution<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The vision for the PATH service was developed and operationalised by a core leadership team, including the Unit Manager, Divisional Collective Leadership Team, the Service Manager, and Assistant Service Manager. They designed standard operating procedures, pathways into the service, and worked closely with hospital colleagues to establish medical cover and emergency protocols. Engagement was prioritised through meetings and workshops with staff across services, recognising existing pressures and addressing concerns. From the outset, data collection was built into the model to demonstrate impact and share progress transparently with stakeholders.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Results & Next Steps<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

PATH has delivered measurable improvements in patient care and system efficiency:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n