Medical (including mental health) emergencies at work

What to do if an emergency occurs in the workplace.

1. Ensure your own safety; do not put yourself at risk, as you will not be able to assist the casualty.
2. Dial 222 for security and request an ambulance; (Dialling 222, rather than 999 will ensure that the security team can assist you and can direct the ambulance to your location). Alternatively, call 9 999 from a UCL phone or 999 from a mobile.
3. Call for a first aider or another colleague; details of first aiders should be displayed in each department.
4. Ensure the casualty is safe; remove any dangers from the environment, as long as it is safe to do so. In a mental health emergency, as far as possible, ensure a calm environment and approach the casualty in a gentle, calm manner.
5. Stay with the casualty until assistance arrives; basic advice on first aid can be found on the HSE website. 
6. In the case of mental health crisis; the casualty may be distressed or agitated, so it is important that you remain calm and reassuring:
   
    -  Ask the casualty what would help; often they will be able to tell you.
   
    -  Ask the casualty if there is someone they would like you to contact.
7. Stay with the casualty until assistance arrives; or you can take the casualty to appropriate assistance, such as the Accident and Emergency department.
8. If the casualty is presenting a risk to themselves or to others and is not accepting help; then it may be necessary to call 222 to ask the Security team to call the Police (Dialling 222, rather than 999 will ensure that the security team can assist you and can direct the ambulance to your location).  The Police can then arrange for the casualty to be taken to a place of safety, such as the Accident and Emergency department, in order for an assessment to be made.

Useful contacts

NHS 111  This is the NHS non-emergency number.  Call 111 when you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency.

Samaritans; available 24 hours a day  08457 90 90 90 or jo@samaritans.org.

UCL Student Wellbeing and Mental Health Support for UCL students.