Have your say: Crystal House consultation

Crystal House is a small NHS hospital in Brent, North West London, that opened in 2019 and operates as a ‘tier 4’ service. This means it provides the most intense level of NHS care for young people with severe learning disabilities, complex behaviour, mental health needs and/or autism. The service has not been designed to, and cannot, care for those with autism alone.

This facility is one of only four units in England that provide this type of specialist service. Crystal House supports those aged 13 to 18 living in North West London and, occasionally, outside London who have often reached a crisis point or whose needs can no longer be managed at home, in residential settings, or through community services.

Purpose of this consultation

Crystal House has been pivotal in supporting young people in crisis but the way that the NHS provides care for people with learning disabilities has shifted in recent years to providing more care closer to people’s homes, in the community. 

This approach aims to prevent people being admitted to hospital for long periods of time. It is designed to improve the quality of life for people with mental health conditions and learning disabilities, allowing them to stay connected to their families and communities.

Due to its highly specialist nature, Crystal House typically supports only a small number of young people each year - since opening, the unit has admitted just 22 young people, averaging fewer than four individuals each year.

NHS North West London is exploring ways to adapt their services, considering the recent changes in how care is provided for those with learning disabilities, and with fewer young people needing to receive care at Crystal House every year

What changes are being proposed? 

One approach might be to create a new community-based model of care instead of providing care in a hospital, which would then result in the closure of Crystal House.

The new service would focus on providing:

• Specialist community support teams offering care in familiar environments, such as homes and schools
• Flexible operating hours to provide better crisis support and early intervention
• Clear pathways for stepped-up or stepped-down care to prevent crises and unnecessary hospital stays
• An integrated partnership approach, working closely with schools, social care providers, and healthcare teams to ensure coordinated care

The NHS recognises that a small number of individuals might still need specialist care that can only be provided in a hospital. Those children and young people who need hospital-based treatment will be able to access high-quality support in an appropriate setting.

Currently, no decisions have been made about the future of Crystal House, and the NHS is keen on understanding people’s experiences to help shape the future of care for children and young people with complex learning disabilities and mental health needs.

In particular, the NHS would like to hear your views on the following:

• To what extent to you agree or disagree with the reasons why the NHS think things need to change?
• What are your views about the proposed new model of care moving from providing care in a hospital (Crystal House) to providing more care in the community and closer to people’s homes?

How can I share my views?

If you would like to learn share your thoughts, please email wlmtr.nwlcamhspc@nhs.net