Enter and view: Bucks Safe Haven

Healthwatch Bucks conducted an Enter and View visit to High Wycombe Safe Haven, a mental health crisis support service run by Buckinghamshire Mind and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust. 

During the visit, Healthwatch spoke to all four staff members.

Key findings about the service include:

• Most people access the service via phone or video calls, with fewer opting for in person support.
• The service accepts self-referrals and professional referrals.
• Staff distribute leaflets in quieter periods to raise awareness of the service, though the HW team noted they were unfamiliar with the local 'Health on the High Street' service in Aylesbury which may be useful to connect with.
• A notable increase in male service users was observed.
• There is no feedback mechanism on-site for users to provide suggestions or comments.

Based on observations and conversations with staff, the report offers three recommendations:

1. Connect with 'Health on the High Street' to promote the service
2. Install a suggestion box for feedback.
3. Add a user feedback form on the Bucks Safe Haven website.

The report includes the response from the Safe Haven service, which takes on board many of these recommendations, including:

• Plans to connect with Health on the High Street by December 2024.
• A suggestion box will be placed by January 2025.
• A feedback form will be added to the website by March 2025.