Routine mental health referrals to older people’s services in Kirklees are changing

From Monday 18 February routine referrals for older people with mental health issues in Kirklees will now be handled by Locala’s Single Point of Contact (SPOC) through their online referral system or by telephone. Our Trust’s Single Point of Access (SPA) will no longer process routine referrals. This is in line with the move to the Care Closer to Home model, providing one referral process for routine referrals. This makes it quicker and more efficient to access older adult mental health services for patients and service users.

This new way of working with our partners at Locala will enable us to better link physical and mental health, and provide support and services closer to people in their local communities – delivering ‘Care Closer to Home’.

When referrals are made to Locala they are passed to South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust to get the patient the most appropriate care in a timely way.

While routine referrals will from 18 February go to the Locala Single Point of Contact (SPOC), urgent cases will still need to be referred to our mental health Single Point of Access (SPA). The risk questions on the referral form will assist in this decision making.

• For routine referrals for older people make a referral through the Locala website eReferrals system https://www.locala.org.uk/ereferrals-home/ or by telephone on 0300 304 5555
• For urgent cases continue to contact the SWYPFT Single Point of Access on 01924 316830

The Single Point of Contact operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Feedback and comment about the Single Point of Contact, is welcomed and should be directed to Locala’s Customer Liaison Team on 0303 003 4529, Option 1, Monday to Friday, 8.30am – 5.30pm, excluding bank holidays, or via enquiry@locala.org.uk. Alternatively you can contact us via customerservices@swyt.nhs.uk