We know that carers play a vital role in supporting people with mental health problems. As well as providing care and treatment for the people who use our services, we are also here to support you, the carer.
You can find out more about the support we offer carers in this informative video.
Below are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we receive from carers in our national services. If you have a question that is not answered below, please contact us.
Frequently asked questions
Who can refer to the national services?
To view who can refer to a specific service, please select the service from the main list and see the Referrals are accepted from section on the main page.
How can I get in touch with a national service?
You can contact a service by sending an email through the general contact us page or through that service’s specific contact us page, where phone numbers are also listed.
How can I find out if a referral has been submitted?
You will need to contact the person making the referral to confirm if it has been submitted.
What happens after a referral has been submitted?
Once we have received a referral, we check that the funding authorisation is in progress, before sending it to the service for processing.
When will the patient or carer be contacted after the referral has been submitted?
The patient or carer will be contacted by the service, once the referral has been processed and the funding has been agreed.
Do you accept privately funded referrals?
We do not currently accept privately funded referrals, however this may change soon.
What can I do if the referral funding is refused?
- Your referrer can appeal to your PCT
- You can contact your local Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS). They are based in local hospitals and can be helpful in communicating with your PCT.
- You can contact your local Citizen’s Advice Bureau who may also be very helpful
- You must ensure that the evidence is available to prove the effectiveness of the service and be aware of the NICE guidelines
Do you accept referrals from outside the United Kingdom?
SLaM are happy to accept referrals from any member states of the EEA and Switzerland, providing an E112 form is produced. This is obtained from the patient’s local Health Board. If you have an overseas patient as above, please contact Diane Rao, National Account Management Team (020 3 228 4721)
What are care options?
A care option is a description of the type of treatment related to a package of care and the cost involved to administer that treatment and care. They can be found under the Care options link on all services pages.
