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Professional Referrals to Southern Hill Hospital
Southern Hill is an independent mental health hospital and treatment centre in Norfolk. We accept both private and professional referrals for people with:
Complex mental health conditions
Drug and alcohol addiction
Substance use disorders requiring detox
Professional mental health and addiction treatment referrals differ from private ones.
Who Can Make a Professional Referral?
At Southern Hill, we accept professional addiction and mental health referrals from:
NHS
Local Authorities
NHS commissioners
Integrated Care Boards
Mental health teams
Health and social care professionals
We also accept referrals through Private medical insurance (PMI) routes and private practitioners.
What Services Can You Refer To?
Our facility at Southern Hill has separate, dedicated areas focused on different forms of treatment. This ensures the privacy of our patients and the ability to create distinct therapeutic environments for them.
Complex Mental Health & Eating Difficulties
We support adults dealing with complex mental health issues and eating difficulties who are struggling day-to-day. People in these situations often experience emotional distress and find it difficult to manage strong emotions, which could appear alongside eating and nutritional challenges.
Those in these situations often feel isolated, unmotivated and unsure of where to turn, struggling with building and maintaining relationships with friends, families and partners.
At Southern Hill, we look beyond diagnoses and issues. We see the person, and each case requires an individual therapeutic and clinical approach.
Addiction Treatment
Southern Hill accepts addiction referrals for patients suffering from substance misuse who have detox needs that would benefit from undergoing this process in a hospital setting.
Rehabilitation is about more than getting sober. Our treatment plans fit the person, and we put focus on preparing them for life beyond rehab, supporting relapse prevention and long-term recovery.
What Information Do We Consider During Assessment?
Each person is judged individually, and no matter how they are referred to us, we employ the same comprehensive assessments to determine that they receive care that is tailored to them.
Information that will inform our assessment includes:
Current clinical presentation
Medical history
Physical and mental health
Current risks
Substance use
Withdrawal risk
Safeguarding issues
Previous treatment history
Social circumstances
Treatment goals
Recovery goals
How Referral Decisions Are Made
An assessment helps us gather all patient information together and make an informed decision.
Whether we admit someone will depend on whether it is clinically suitable for them to receive treatment and if Southern Hill can safely meet their needs. We want everyone who comes to Southern Hill to be the best for them, with a treatment pathway that is appropriate and provides the correct clinical support.
If being referred to for addiction treatment, this assessment will help us create a personalised plan.
It also helps with admission planning and any additional information or preparations needed before treatment can begin should be provided promptly.
Referring Someone for Addiction Treatment
In particular, for those needing addiction treatment, we'll consider the severity of their addiction and the substance they are abusing. This will determine detox requirements, any medications they may need, and how long detox takes.
We want to ensure people are safe at Southern Hill, so physical and mental health must be assessed to determine if a prospective patient is healthy enough to participate in treatment.
Other considerations include:
Whether hospital-level medical oversight is needed
Treatment and recovery goals
Discharge and ongoing support needs
Referring Someone With Complex Mental Health Needs
At Southern Hill, we look beyond diagnosis. The care we provide is person-centred, and we'll examine the full picture. This means considering emotional distress and strong emotional responses that are persistent and impacting daily life.
We provide care for those in crisis and at risk, with the aim of stabilising them as soon as possible.
We also understand that eating and nutritional wellbeing can be connected to mental health and will consider it and how we can help those struggling. Even though the focus is on mental health, physical condition will not be ignored.
The core of any inpatient mental health referral we receive will be: what does the person want from treatment? Their goals and aspirations will drive the care they receive and how it is delivered.
Communication With Referrers During Treatment
Regular progress updates are provided to involved professionals where appropriate and if consented to by the patient. Throughout treatment, we take part in coordinated treatment planning and multidisciplinary team (MDT) reviews to monitor progress, reassess risks and adapt approaches if needed.
Discharge planning can be arranged during admission. We aim to work with community teams and involved professionals where suitable to support a safe and smoother transition out of Southern Hill and back into the community.
Discharge and Continuity of Care
As stated above, discharge planning begins early. We take on board what each person is trying to achieve and, if consented to, carers, commissioners and community professionals may be involved throughout the journey.
We are detailed with our discharge planning to better move to support that may be needed after hospital so that progress is maintained.
In some cases, addiction patients may progress into continuing recovery support in the form of suitable community-based or other residential treatment.
Referrals Following Placement Breakdown
We will individually assess people whose previous treatment placement has broken down or who have been asked to leave another service. During this and all assessments, safety and suitability will be at the forefront of any referral decisions made.
Make a Professional Referral
You can call our central referrals line on 0330 236 8231 or email referrals@ihcm.co.uk.
Professional Referral FAQs
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NHS professionals, Local Authorities, healthcare teams, ICBs and private individuals can make referrals.
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Current clinical presentation, physical and mental health, medical history and treatment needs.
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Yes, we consider referrals for substance use disorders requiring detoxification.
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Yes, we accept NHS referrals.
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Yes, we accept local authority referrals.
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Our multidisciplinary team will consider many factors, including individual needs, risks and treatment requirements.
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Yes, each case is assessed individually, prioritising safety and suitability.
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Referrers may be able to receive regular progress updates, but contact the referrals team to discuss communication arrangements during treatment.
Southern Hill Hospital is a part of IHCM
Integrated Health Care Management Group (IHCM) is a UK-based health and social care management organisation. IHCM operates and manages a network of hospitals, residential and nursing care homes and supported living services, providing governance, clinical oversight and strategic leadership across the Group. Individual services are registered and regulated through their respective provider organisations, with IHCM providing the management infrastructure and support to deliver safe, high-quality and compassionate care. ihcm.co.uk