Cassel Hospital

Patients are treated at Cassel for a minimum of 9 months and a maximum of 33 months:

The 9-month inpatient treatment accepts referrals from the whole of the UK, whilst the outreach service offers up to 24 months of treatment for those within easy reach of London.

The treatment path is determined by the patient's individual circumstances and resources available locally. Progression from the inpatient to the outreach service is therefore not automatic. Patients will have a break in between these two phases of treatment (where applicable) to complete the ending and consolidate their learning. 

Our approach and outcomes

We aim to provide evidence-based treatment to reduce people’s symptoms and improve their quality of life. We audit treatment outcomes on a continuous basis to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of our treatment.

Research shows that our treatment:

• Reduces the number and severity symptoms
• Reduces self-harm and suicidal ideation (considering or planning suicide and suicide attempts)
• Improves interpersonal relations
• Improves occupational capacity
• Reduces use of local mental health services
• Is cost effective.

Referrals to the Cassel Hospital can be made must be made by a consultant psychiatrist or by the local community mental health team (adult mental health services or child and adolescent mental health services for young people at the stage of being transferred to adult services), with clearly stated support from the responsible consultant. It is important that patients are involved in the referral process, support it and have an idea of what the treatment involves.

For more information about referrals, or if you have any questions before you make a referral, please contact: 

Cheryl Pavitt
Telephone: 0208 483 2953
Email: cheryl.pavitt@nhs.net

Referrals can be made online using the referral form here.

Click here to make a referral

As a national specialist (Tier 4) personality disorder service, we have a contract with NHS England for the majority of our beds. 

Local mental health services in England can refer patients for treatment, with no need to apply for funding and without costs to their local health budgets.

Patients from Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland will require funding from the local authorities responsible for out-of-area treatments.

Inclusion criteria

To be considered for funding, patients must meet the following criteria:

• Age 17.5 years and above at time of referral, 18 years by time of admission
• Diagnosis of Emerging or Severe Personality Disorder or Complex Emotional Needs
• Need for a Tier 4 service due to local mental health services being unable to meet the patient’s needs
• The referral has the support of the local Consultant Psychiatrist and agreement from the regional NHS England specialist commissioner
• At point of admission the patient has a home where they can return to at weekends.

Exclusion criteria

Patients won’t be accepted for treatment funding if any of the following applies to them: 

• Active risk to others
• Acute substance addiction.

Publications 

We’ve published a wide range of research articles and papers in peer-reviewed journals.

Enquiries

For information about the work of the research unit and internships, please contact:

Sofia Robinson
Telephone: 020 8483 2972
Email: sofia.robinson@westlondon.nhs.uk

We’re a multidisciplinary team of nurses, clinical psychologists and psychotherapists and specialist community support.

Senior team

Clinical Lead
Dr. Kimberley Barlow
Consultant Psychiatrist in Psychotherapy, Cassel Hospital and Outreach Service

Dr. Miriam Barrett
Consultant Psychiatrist in Psychotherapy, Inpatient Clinical Lead

Dr Beate Schumacher
Head of Psychotherapy and Social Work

Amanda Mackenzie
Senior Nurse

Daksha Samani
Senior Social Worker

Melissa Ellison
Service Manager

Here's what our service users have to say about the service and how the Cassel has supported them with their recovery journey.

'The start of inpatient treatment can feel overwhelming but overall there's good support in place. With time I formed bonds with the patient group that have lasted beyond the Cassel.

Give yourself and the staff a chance. It's not easy but worth it.'

- (Former Cassel patient – anonymous)

'My time at the Cassel was one of the richest and most profound times of my life. It was also hard work. Inpatient treatment enabled me to make enough changes to keep myself out of hospital and to build new relationships. Outreach enabled me to function in the community again, to study, resume work, and maintain those relationships.'

- (Former Cassel patient – anonymous)

'Before I became an inpatient at the Cassel I had no hope of ever finding recovery. My admission was tough, I hadn't ever had to work so hard on my thoughts, beliefs, and behaviours before.

However, I felt the staff and my fellow patients were just as invested in my recovery as I was. Every meltdown (tears, tantrums, and all) was worth it as I left 9 months later in a far more positive position. In fact, after 6 years of being unable to work, I now have a job in the NHS as a Lived Experience Practitioner offering that elusive hope of recovery to others.

Thank you Cassel Hospital!'

- (Former Cassel patient – anonymous)

We value your feedback as it helps us monitor and improve our services and deliver better patient-centred care.

Please take a few moments to let us know what you think of our services by completing our online friends and family test survey. (Please quote Cassel.)