Mental Health
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust - HQ
Prestwich Hospital,Bury New Road, Prestwich,Manchester, Manchester M25 3BL
Overview
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust is a major mental health service provider serving the Greater Manchester area. The organisation operates from its headquarters at Prestwich Hospital in Manchester, a historic site that has provided mental health care for many decades. The trust delivers comprehensive mental health services across the region, including inpatient care, community mental health services, crisis support, and specialist treatments for adults, older people, and children and young people.
The trust is responsible for providing acute mental health beds, psychological therapies, and support for people experiencing mental health difficulties ranging from common conditions to severe and enduring mental illness. It also provides specialist services including forensic mental health care and services for people with learning disabilities and mental health needs. Prestwich Hospital itself is a major facility within the trust's estate, offering inpatient beds and various outpatient facilities.
As an NHS Foundation Trust, the organisation is committed to delivering high-quality, evidence-based care to the local population. The trust works closely with other health and social care providers across Greater Manchester to ensure integrated, person-centred mental health support.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can access mental health services at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust - HQ in Manchester 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 01617 739121 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 Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust - HQ, you may have a crisis plan with direct contact numbers.
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust - HQ 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 Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust - HQ 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.
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust - HQ 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.
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust - HQ 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 01617 739121 about current group programmes.
Yes, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust - HQ 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.
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 01617 739121 for current waiting times. While waiting, you can access self-help resources, crisis lines, and wellbeing apps recommended by the NHS.
Some services at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust - HQ 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 01617 739121 to check which services you can self-refer to.
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust - HQ 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.
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust - HQ 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.
If you have complex mental health needs, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust - HQ may use the Care Programme Approach (CPA). Under CPA you will have a named care coordinator, a comprehensive care plan developed with you, regular reviews of your care and progress, and a structured plan for when you are ready to be discharged from the service. CPA ensures coordinated, person-centred care across different services.
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust - HQ 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 01617 739121 for information about substance misuse support.
Yes, consultant psychiatrists at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust - HQ 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.