Locations > Baldock Manor Hospital > Female PICU Service
Fast access to specialist PICU beds with structured, high-quality care
When someone requires PICU support, timing matters. Delays can increase risk, prolong distress and make recovery more complex.
At Baldock Manor, our Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit provides rapid access to specialist PICU beds for adults with acute mental health needs. We support NHS commissioners, bed managers and referrers who need safe, appropriate placements without delay, alongside individuals requiring a higher level of care in a structured and therapeutic environment.
Referrals can be reviewed quickly, with admissions available on a 24-hour basis.
Support for PICU Patients
Support for
- Females requiring a short, intense placement with rapid intervention to prevent harm to themselves or others
- Mental health disorders, including schizophrenia, personality disorders, etc. – may have a longstanding history of suicidal ideation, severe self-harm, abuse, violence, and/or exploitation from others.
- Legal status is usually Section 2 or 3
Typical admission circumstances
May be admitted from home or an acute ward – multiple serious incidents have led to admission
Typical Stay
Varies by person, on average approx. 60 days
Exclusions
Pregnancy, dementia, and people requiring a medicalised detox
PICU Service Features
Property
- Hospital ward
- Open plan layout for easy observation
- De-escalation area
- Seclusion facility
Bedrooms
- 16 beds (8 in each ward)
- Single occupancy
- En-suite
Baldock Manor Hospital
London Road, Baldock, Herts, SG7 6ND
PICU beds available for urgent placements
Access to appropriate PICU provision is often limited, particularly for individuals with complex or high-risk presentations. Our service is designed to respond when that need is most urgent.
We offer:
- Fast response to referrals
- 24 hour admissions, seven days a week
- Clear and consistent communication throughout the referral process
- Support for out of area placements across Hertfordshire, London and the South East
Our focus is on ensuring individuals receive the right level of care at the right time, reducing delays and supporting safer outcomes.
A specialist PICU service for complex needs
Our PICU supports female adults experiencing acute phases of mental illness who require intensive, closely managed care in a safe setting.
This includes individuals who may:
- Present with high levels of risk to themselves or others
- Require enhanced observation and support
- Be stepping up from acute wards due to increasing complexity
- Need stabilisation before transitioning to a less intensive setting
Care is structured, consistent and delivered by a multidisciplinary team experienced in managing complex and high acuity presentations.
Why choose our PICU hospital in Hertfordshire
- Rapid access to PICU beds
- Experienced multidisciplinary team
- Structured, therapeutic approach to care
- Integrated pathway for step down and ongoing support
- Accessible location for referrals across London and the South East
Make a referral or enquiry
If you are seeking a PICU placement or would like to discuss a potential referral, our team is available to support you.
- Speak to us about current bed availability
- Submit a referral for rapid review
- Discuss whether our service is the right fit for your patient
The right placement, at the right time, can make a significant difference to outcomes.
“My daughter has spent many years in and out of care facilities in connection with her mental health. In all those mental health facilities, I /we have never felt so relieved and highly satisfied with her care. My daughter has settled well into Radley Ward and is continuing to make great improvements.
As a family, we could not be more comforted and reassured by her improvements. We feel she has finally received the care and support she has so desperately needed. In all of my daughter’s previous 13 placements, we have never come across a service better or more outstanding than Baldock Manor."
Key contacts
Hospital Director:
Ambrose Nyaley
Clinical Services Manager:
Yemi Doherty
Compliance & Safeguarding: Virginia Bramer
Find out more about our hospital
