Mental Health
Ashworth Hospital
Parkbourn,Liverpool, Liverpool L31 1HW
Overview
Ashworth Hospital is a high-security psychiatric hospital located in Parkbourn, Liverpool. It is one of only three high-security psychiatric hospitals in England and is managed by Mersey Care NHS Trust. The hospital provides specialist mental health and secure care services for patients with serious mental illness and complex mental health needs who require a secure treatment environment.
The hospital serves patients from across the North West and beyond who have been referred through the criminal justice system or mental health services. It operates as both a therapeutic facility and a place of safety, offering inpatient treatment, rehabilitation, and mental health support within a secure setting. The facility houses various wards and treatment programmes designed to manage and treat patients with the most complex psychiatric conditions.
Ashworth Hospital maintains strict security protocols and employs multidisciplinary teams including psychiatrists, nurses, psychologists, and social workers. The hospital is committed to providing evidence-based treatment while maintaining public safety and supporting patient rehabilitation and recovery pathways.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can access mental health services at Ashworth Hospital in Liverpool through a GP referral, self-referral (available for NHS Talking Therapies and some community services), or through NHS 111 if you need urgent support. Contact 01514 732805 to find out about referral pathways and current waiting times. In a crisis, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option, or call the Samaritans on 116 123.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999. For a mental health crisis, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option for 24/7 support, contact your local Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team, call the Samaritans on 116 123 (free, 24/7), text SHOUT to 85258, or attend A&E if you feel unsafe. If you are already known to Ashworth Hospital, you may have a crisis plan with direct contact numbers.
Ashworth Hospital offers a range of evidence-based therapies which may include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), counselling, psychotherapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), group therapy, art and creative therapies, and family therapy. The specific therapies available depend on the service. Your treatment plan will be tailored to your individual needs.
Yes, all treatment at Ashworth Hospital is strictly confidential under NHS policy and data protection law. Information is only shared with healthcare professionals directly involved in your care. Confidentiality may only be broken in exceptional circumstances where there is a serious risk of harm to yourself or others, a court order, or a safeguarding obligation.
Ashworth Hospital may provide or link to specialist perinatal mental health services for women experiencing mental health difficulties during pregnancy or in the first year after birth. Conditions include antenatal and postnatal depression, anxiety, PTSD from birth trauma, and postpartum psychosis. Early treatment is vital for both mother and baby. Ask your GP or midwife about perinatal mental health referrals.
Ashworth Hospital recognises the impact of mental illness on families and carers. Support may include family meetings with the clinical team, carer support groups, information sessions about conditions and treatments, signposting to organisations like Mind, Rethink Mental Illness, and Carers UK, and involvement in care planning with the patient's consent.
Yes, Ashworth Hospital may offer remote therapy options including telephone sessions, video consultations, and guided online self-help programmes. Remote therapy is clinically effective for many conditions and offers greater flexibility. It is particularly helpful for those with mobility issues, caring responsibilities, or who prefer the comfort of their own home. Ask about remote options when you are referred.
Some services at Ashworth Hospital accept self-referrals without needing to see your GP first. NHS Talking Therapies (for anxiety and depression) can be accessed by self-referral in most areas. Other services such as Community Mental Health Teams and specialist services usually require a GP or professional referral. Contact 01514 732805 to check which services you can self-refer to.
Ashworth Hospital may offer group therapy programmes which provide peer support alongside professional guidance. Groups may focus on anxiety management, depression recovery, DBT skills, mindfulness and stress reduction, bereavement, and substance misuse support. Groups are led by trained therapists and typically run for 8-12 weeks. Ask 01514 732805 about current group programmes.
Ashworth Hospital may provide or link to services for people with dual diagnosis (co-occurring mental health and substance misuse problems). Support can include assessment, counselling, harm reduction advice, detox support, and referral to specialist addiction services. Contact 01514 732805 for information about substance misuse support.
Waiting times vary depending on the service and urgency. NHS Talking Therapies aims to start treatment within 6 weeks of referral. Community Mental Health Team assessments may take 4-12 weeks. Urgent referrals are prioritised. Contact 01514 732805 for current waiting times. While waiting, you can access self-help resources, crisis lines, and wellbeing apps recommended by the NHS.
Yes, consultant psychiatrists at Ashworth Hospital can prescribe and manage psychiatric medications including antidepressants, anti-anxiety medication, mood stabilisers, and antipsychotics. Medication is usually combined with talking therapy for the best outcomes. Regular reviews ensure your medication is working effectively and monitor for side effects. Your GP may take over prescribing once your condition is stable.
Ashworth Hospital may offer or link to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) for young people up to 18. Services include assessment and therapy for anxiety, depression, self-harm, eating disorders, ADHD, autism, and behavioural difficulties. Referrals can come from GPs, schools, or in some areas through self-referral. Some areas also have early intervention teams for young people experiencing psychosis.
Ashworth Hospital provides support for a wide range of mental health conditions including depression, anxiety disorders (generalised anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar disorder, personality disorders, eating disorders, psychosis and schizophrenia, perinatal mental health, and complex emotional difficulties.