MAST (Multi-Agency-Support-Team) is a partnership of VCS organisations working in Airedale General Hospital and Bradford Royal Infirmary and provides specialist and specific support around 3 key pressure points in the hospitals; alcohol use (Project 6), mental health (The Cellar Trust) and frailty (Careres’ Resource).

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.

The MAST team support individuals both in hospital and, following discharge, in the community to help remove the barriers that people face to ongoing treatment.

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.

The MAST’s latest 6-month report shows the impact of their work.

“I am doing really well – I remain abstinent and I am now attending groups. I now have my  daughter back in my care and have returned to work on reduced hours. Both my physical and mental health have improved massively.”

The team receive referrals from various source within the hospital setting. The MAST worker screens and assesses each patient relating to the main areas of service, Alcohol Use, Mental Health and  Frailty. During that point of contact the MAST worker will deliver evidence-based interventions and referrals are made to the Community Team where appropriate.

In the past 6 months MAST has:

Delivered 1827 Interventions to Patients attending Hospital

MAST Community has delivered 717 support sessions to individuals

Agree or Strongly Agree

61%

After working with MAST

‘My life has changed in ways that I didn’t believe it EVER could prior to working with MAST. I had lost all hope, which I have now regained. The consistent support that I have received from initially meeting a member of the MAST team in the hospital and then my MAST support worker who has supported me in the community has got me where I am today.

Before beginning community support, 39% of people reported not having the tools to manage during a crisis, after support this figure decreased to only 6% with 77% of people feeling that they had the tools to manage distress when in crisis after support.

% of people feeling they did not have the tools to manage during a crisis:

I know which services are available to me and how to access them

Agree or Strongly Agree

90%

After working with MAST

I feel supported and connected to the wider community

Strongly Disagree or Disagree

16%

After working with MAST

If you would like more information on MAST or about any of the partners involved, please email info@project6.org.uk