Priory Hospital Chelmsford - NHS Referrals
Priory Hospital Chelmsford was opened in 1992 and since then, has established an excellent reputation for providing high standards of treatment for a diverse range of mental health conditions.
Chelmsford is one of the UK’s leading mental health treatment centres and is rated by former patients for its excellence, dedication, commitment to individuals, as well as producing outstanding treatment outcomes.
Chelmsford works in partnership with the NHS to provide expert care and treatment for patients who need support in the following areas:
- Adult acute mental health
- Adult eating disorders
- Child and adolescent mental health
Focus on Safety
Our absolute priority is to make sure we operate safe and effective services 24/7 and that all staff understand what is required of them to make that happen. Click here to read more.
Treatment through the NHS can only be arranged by public bodies, such as mental health trusts and clinical commissioners. If you would like to know more about the process for accessing treatment on the NHS, your first port of call will be to speak to your GP.
Priory’s private services can be accessed via self-pay, and you may also be able to also access treatment through private medical insurance. For more information, please visit our Priory Hospital Chelmsford private services page.
Service overviews
Across all services, our flexible and patient-centred treatment programmes are developed by an expert team of psychiatrists, mental health nurses, psychologists and therapists. This multidisciplinary approach allows for a package of holistic care, ensuring the patient is a part of the planning process throughout their treatment.
Adult acute mental health
Chelmsford’s acute service aims to achieve minimum lengths of stay by providing an extension to NHS care pathways during times of fluctuating demand. Our team works closely with referring Trusts and we work collaboratively with discharge teams, to ensure a smooth transition back into existing community services, or to an individual’s home where possible.
Danbury Ward is an 18-bedded, single gender, female adult acute admission unit. The ward offers support to those in crisis with varying mental health issues such as psychosis, mood disorders, personality disorders, anxiety and trauma.
Chelmsford has a contract with our local regional NHS foundation trust (EPUT), which allows us to support the local community by insuring patients in crisis can gain access to services within their locality.
Danbury Ward has a multidisciplinary team consisting off experienced consultant psychiatrists, speciality doctors, mental health nurses and occupational therapists, to provide person-centred, holistic care in collaboration with the patient, to allow them to maximise their recovery journey.
Adult eating disorders
Springfield Ward is a 14-bedded, adult eating disorder unit, providing support and treatment for both males and females. Our aim is to work in collaboration with the patients and their families to help the patient reach a healthy body weight that enables them to manage daily activities of living in their own environment.
We offer robust group programmes that include psychoeducation, emotional regulation, and activities involving cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). There is also the opportunity to take part in one-to-one therapy at Chelmsford, along with family therapy.
Our eating disorder unit has access to a full time dietitian who works as part of a multidisciplinary team within a comfortable, friendly and understanding environment.
Our eating disorder service operates in conjunction with NHS England and the East of England provider collaborative to support NHS England to provide treatment beds within a patient’s locality, to enable support from carers and families to be maintained on the indivudal’s recovery journey.
Child and adolescent mental health
Willows Ward is an 11-bedded, general admission unit for children and young people, aged between 10 - 17 year olds. Its aim is to provide effective and timely treatment to enable the young person to reintegrate back into the community.
The team offers a full range of therapy, led by a clinical psychologist. Treatment includes dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), CBT, family therapy and occupational therapy. We also have a comprehensive educational programme led by a team of teachers.
Our child and adolescent service operates in conjunction with NHS England and the East of England provider collaborative to support NHS England to provide treatment beds within a patient’s locality, to enable support from carers and families to be maintained on the individual’s recovery journey.
Enquiries and Referrals
For further information on Priory services offered to the NHS, or to make a referral, please call our dedicated 24/7 customer service centre on 0800 090 1356. Alternatively, click here to submit an enquiry form
Priory is ready to take emergency placements 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for adult acute mental health, adult eating disorders, CAMHS and PICU. To make a referral please call us on