We recognise that many people who come to us are living with anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. We understand how significant and distressing these experiences can be, and we never underestimate the impact they can have on day-to-day life.
Some customers ask whether their situation may qualify for an emergency medical priority banding.
This page explains the kinds of circumstances we may consider when assessing whether someone’s current housing situation is having a serious negative impact on their mental health.
How we assess applications
Every application is considered individually. We take the time to understand your specific circumstances, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.
Where needed, we will seek advice from qualified medical professionals or specialist advisors to make sure our decisions are informed, fair, and based on expert evidence.
When emergency medical priority banding may apply
We may consider awarding emergency medical priority banding where there is clear evidence that someone’s current housing situation is placing them at immediate and significant risk in relation to their mental health. Examples can include:
- Recent hospital admission for mental health reasons, particularly where you have been detained under the Mental Health Act, and medical professionals have advised that returning to your current home is likely to lead to readmission.
- Professional evidence from your clinical team, such as doctors or psychiatrists, confirming that if your housing situation does not change, there is a high likelihood of hospital admission (including detention under the Mental Health Act).
Supporting evidence
We rely on clinical professional evidence to help us make these decisions. This might include information from:
- GPs or consultants
- Mental health teams
This evidence should explain how your current home is affecting your mental health and why a move is necessary to prevent serious deterioration.
A fair and careful approach
We understand that discussing mental health can be difficult. Please be assured that:
- We treat all information sensitively and confidentially.
- We assess each case on its own merits.
- We use independent medical advice where appropriate.
- Our aim is always to make fair and consistent decisions, while recognising the seriousness of individual circumstances.