Assessment to Intervention Team (A2i)

The Assessment to Intervention (A2i) Team are part of the available support for those suffering with mental ill health in Portsmouth. A2i are a team of experienced mental health nurses, Social workers, Occupational Therapists, support workers, doctors and a psychologist. We aim is to understand and assess your needs so we can identify the support and treatment required to help you recover.

What we offer

We offer routine, holistic assessments to individuals with severe and enduring mental illness.

We are able to offer short term interventions to identified patients. The support offered is individualised to the persons identified needs but may include a medication review, intensive Occupational therapy, psychological assessment and short term evidenced based interventions.

Sometimes A2i will receive a referral and may consider another service more appropriate. Transfer to this service will be completed with consideration given to your needs and risks.

What to expect

A2i aim to see you within 4-6 weeks of referral and are available Mondays – Fridays 9-5pm.

Referral criteria

Referrals are accepted from qualified professionals, including GPs and Talking Change for those ages 18 and over. The team are currently unable to accept self-referral.

Please speak to a professional involved in your support for referral or speak to your GP or 111.

Alternatively, you can contact the Portsmouth Mental Health Access Hub Monday – Friday 8-6pm on 0300 123 6621. They are able to offer support, advice, guidance and onward referral in order to meet your needs.

Until you have been seen for an assessment, they remain under the care of the GP.

Health Professional?

Full service description

The Assessment to Intervention (A2i) Team is the entry point to Mental Health Services for those living in Portsmouth with a Portsmouth GP. Routine referrals are first received by the A2i team, who then decide whether to assess a patient or signpost to a more appropriate treatment. Referrals will be assessed within 4 weeks. Urgent referrals should be sent to Crisis Resolution Home Treatment (CRHT) team.

We are an NHS team made up of health and social care professional with different skills.

We offer routine, holistic assessments to individuals with severe and enduring mental illness.

If the support required is of a longer-term nature, we will transfer care to the Community Mental Health Team.

A2i may offer assessment and identify there is no role for this service. In these instances, they will offer advice and guidance about where to access support.

Referral method

The service is for people with conditions that cannot be managed within primary care. For example:

severe psychotic disorders
severe depression
severe emotional difficulties that could lead to harmful behaviour
severe personality disorders
severe types of obsessive/compulsive disorder, phobia or anxiety spectrum disorders
patients with a gender identity disorder, who require a mental health assessment prior to referral to a gender identity clinic

Referrals are accepted from qualified professionals, including GPs and Talking Change. The team are currently unable to accept self-referral.

Referrals must include as much relevant information as possible about a person's current and previous mental health history. These can be made via System 1, in writing or by calling the team.