With high staffing levels the service aims to help people stabilise and enable them to return to the community, or the least restrictive environment for them, as quickly as possible. The average length of stay in 2023 was 5 weeks.

The service is able to accept referrals which may be complex and can work successfully and robustly with individuals who experience a high level of need and challenges.

“My son has been in and out of other hospitals for the last two years with little to no help from staff. He was recently admitted to Byron Ward at Cygnet Hospital Harrow and I can only compliment the staff that have worked together to bring him back to full health and made him feel like his self again. I am so pleased with how far he has come and it’s thanks to the wonderful staff at Cygnet Hospital Harrow.”Family member

Our service user profile:

• Men, aged 18+ years
• May be informal or detained under the Mental Health Act
• Experiencing an acute episode of mental illness requiring a crisis admission
• Diagnoses may include:
  • Acute mental illness
  • Acute depressive illness
  • Psychosis
  • Schizophrenia
  • Bi-polar disorder
  • Personality disorder
  • Dual diagnosis
• May present with co-morbid presentations:
  • Self-harm
  • Substance misuse issues
  • Complex needs