Overview

The Priory Hospital Ticehurst is an independent hospital, specialising in the management and treatment of mental health problems.

Founded over 200 years ago the hospital stands in 48 acres of grounds, providing a calming and therapeutic environment for our patients. The hospital has established an excellent reputation for providing the highest standards of care, together with an extensive range of mental health services. The hospital has residential facilities for 63 patients, as well as offering day therapy and outpatient services. Our highly experienced team includes consultant psychiatrists, therapists, nurses and support staff.

What we treat

General psychiatry

The hospital treats a wide range of psychiatric and emotional problems. Inpatient, day therapy and outpatient treatment is provided for people suffering with conditions such as depression, anxiety and stress, fatigue syndromes, personality disorders and schizophrenia.

Trauma

Specialist programmes are offered for individuals suffering from the effects of trauma.

Addiction treatment programme

We offer free assessments, medical detoxification and therapeutic interventions for alcohol, drug and gambling addictions.

Grange service

The Priory Grange Ticehurst House offers treatment for adults with severe and enduring mental health problems, challenging behaviour and often physical illness. We provide intensive, highly flexible care programmes in safe, caring environments for patients with complex needs, including autistic spectrum disorders, that cannot be met within conventional hospitals or care homes, including detention under Mental Health Act (1983). Priory Grange aims to improve each patient's quality of life and maximise independence.

Please click here for more information on The Priory Grange Ticehurst House.

Adolescent service

The hospital also offers an acute inpatient service and high dependency unit (HDU), day therapy services and outpatient services for children and young people suffering from conditions such as depression, anxiety and stress, fatigue syndromes, learning disabilities, autistic spectrum disorders, self harm and psychotic illness. The HDU service will assess and treat young people who would not be adequately contained within a generic acute adolescent unit and who are not appropriate for stepping up to a secure setting.

Both services have a well-equipped school staffed by qualified teachers who work on a ratio of no more than 1:6. The school is also an approved examination centre. Two timetables are available, reflecting individual needs and on admission each young person has an assessment with the Head of Education and from this their personal programme is planned. Young people who are in full time education can continue to maintain their curriculum with their school or college and links are made to assist with this process.

For young people who have not accessed education from the age of 16, or who find a school setting particularly difficult, there is a programme at the at the Skills Centre that focuses on life skills and gives a more practical timetable. We have a strong link with the local Connexions service and many young people benefit from using this to help them look at what further options they have within education and employment. Also, where appropriate, young people can take part in regular work experience in the local area.

We work closely with, and ensure existing links are maintained with families, education, Community Services (CAMHS) and Social Services.

Accessing treatment

Referral and admission

The majority of referrals made to a Priory hospital are through a patient's GP.  A referral can be made by telephone, in writing, via email or via fax to the hospital's admission department, who will then pass these details on to the relevant consultant.

To make an outpatient appointment with a specific consultant, please telephone reception on 01580 200 391 who will transfer you to the consultant's secretary.

For further details of our specialist treatment programmes or for a list of staff/visiting consultants, together with their areas of special interests, please telephone marketing on 01580 202 213.

Corporate/occupational health

Any company wishing to make a referral, or member of staff wising to be admitted to a Priory hospital, will need to be referred by their company occupational health doctor.  Where an occupational health nurse has been the employees point of contact they should liaise with the company doctor to arrange a referral, if this is required.

Funding

Private medical insurance

All Priory hospitals are recognised by all major private medical insurers, such as BUPA, PPP and others.  It is advised that you contact your insurer to check that adequate cover is available.

Self-funding

Patients who wish to self-fund will be asked to make an initial set payment on admission either by credit card, bankers draft or cash.  Details of the charge are available on request from Admissions.  A self-funding patient will also be asked to sign a financial agreement to guarantee further payments.

NHS/Primary Care Trust

Patients wishing to be funded by the NHS need to discuss funding matters with their own GP or consultant.  The GP or consultant will then apply for funding from the local Primary Care Trust.  An agreement to fund a NHS patient in a Priory hospital is made purely at the discretion of the Primary Care Trust.

Corporate

The Priory Hospital Ticehurst House will make financial arrangements with corporate clients.

Therapy and treatment programmes

The first step to recovery for the patient is to undergo an initial assessment to identify the issues, make any diagnosis and draw up the most appropriate treatment plan. 

Treatment is then available on an outpatient, inpatient and day patient basis.  Click here for more information.

Therapies used

• Cognitive behaviour therapy
• EMDR
• Person centred
• Dialectical behaviour therapy
• Psycho-education
• Psychotherapy
• Systemic and family psychotherapy 

Group therapy

Some of the groups available are

• Understanding anxiety
• Managing anxiety
• Understanding depression
• Managing depression
• Understanding anger
• Managing anger
• Understanding grief and loss
• CBT for mixed diagnosis
• Building self-esteem
• Managing stress
• Dialectical behaviour therapy
• Supportive psychotherapy
• Creative therapy
• Relaxation techniques
• Goal setting/ relapse prevention

Please click here for further information on therapy.

Family programme and aftercare

Within the addiction treatment programme, where possible, we encourage the patient's family to become involved in the treatment programme as this can help give a greater understanding of the illness - hopefully leading to a speedier recovery once the patient has returned home.   

In addition to medical excellence we provide a safe relaxed atmosphere at the hospital, which facilitates the recovery process.

Quality and regulation

You can be assured that the treatment patients receive will be of the highest standard, as we are continually monitored by the independent regulator the Care Quality Commission and are benchmarked against the National Service Framework.

To view a copy of our most recent inspection report please click here.

We also strive to ensure the effectiveness and success of our treatment by meeting exacting, externally validated standards and our results compare favourably with the published benchmarks.

Accommodation and facilities

The environment we create for patients is as important as the treatment, itself.  To this end, each   patient has the privacy of is or her own comfortable bedroom, with television, telephone, and en-suite facilities.

Patients are encouraged to have their meals in the main dining room, which offers excellent choice of dishes.  Special dietary requirements can also be catered for.

Access to local gym/leisure facilities is available.

Visiting times

Visiting times and visitors allowed will be individual for each patient depending on their therapeutic programme.  Please discuss this with the nursing team.  All visitors must sign in and out at reception.  All visitors must leave the building no later than 10.00 pm.

General programme and ATP

Monday - Friday 12.30 pm - 1.30 pm & 5.00 pm - 10.00 pm
Saturday 12.30 pm - 10.00 pm
Sunday 9.00 am - 10.00 pm

For details of our patient admission information, please email ticehurst@priorygroup.com.

Consultant psychiatrists

Priory consultants are experts in treating individuals with mental health conditions including those who may have a multiple or dual diagnosis. Click here for an overview of our staff and visiting consultants and their special areas of interest.

All of our consultants:

• Have undergone extensive training in the specific forms of therapy they deliver
• Are registered with a professional body
• Are engaged in continuing professional development
• Undergo annual appraisals

Flexible appointments

At Priory we offer flexible access to treatment and ensure that individual circumstances are taken into account ensuring the most appropriate treatment plan is drawn up. Different treatment options include:

• On a session by session basis
• As an inpatient
• Through half and full day therapy programmes

With appointments available in the evenings Monday to Friday and on Saturday mornings at most sites, you can access therapy at the time most convenient to you.