Multi-Agency Support (MAST) - The Cellar Trust

The MAST team provide specialist and specific support around Mental Health, Alcohol and Frailty to individuals who frequently find themselves in Emergency Departments, often present with the same or similar issue.

It may often be the case if the person had been able to access support sooner, their situations would not have deteriorated to the point where they required hospital care. Supporting individuals both in hospital and, following discharge, in the community to help remove the barriers that people face to ongoing treatment.

Support includes brief interventions, signposting and referring to other services. The team have a presence in A+E and relevant adult wards with a collaborative working with other teams at hospital such as PLN, OT, homeless, CAMHS, social care.

Community support includes follow up calls within 24 hours after discharge, Holistic support in the community (e.g. combined mental health and alcohol), Multiple referrals to appropriate long-term support and also focuses on avoiding readmission.

By reducing the number of individuals frequently attending these Emergency Departments the team help lessen the demand around the identified pressure points in the health system.