Pathways into GMMH adult mental health services are changing
From Monday 19 January 2026 the referral pathways into community mental health teams in Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH) will be changing.
Why?
The NHS Long Term Plan has laid out the need for new and integrated models of primary and community mental health care.
Access to the right help in a timely manner is critical. The nature and quality of engagement with a person, especially at their first contact with services, can determine how the relationship with services develops.
What will change?
From Monday 19 January 2026 referrals will no longer be processed by Single Point of Access (SPOA).
Instead, Primary Care suitable therapy referrals can be sent directly to Talking Therapies, and Secondary Care referrals can be sent to the newly formed Referral and Assessment Hub (previously Bolton Assessment Service).
Existing direct referral pathways remain unchanged (please see below for further guidance).
If you would like us to come and discuss this further, please email both: BoltonTTad@gmmh.nhs.uk and BoltonRAH@gmmh.nhs.uk
Bolton adult community mental health referral pathways
Talking Therapies: for Anxiety and Depression (Primary Care)
Who do we support?
Talking Therapies: for Anxiety and Depression is for people aged 16+ (including older people) who are presenting with a common mental health problem (CMHP) which falls within the categories below:
- Depression
- Generalised Anxiety Disorder
- Social Anxiety
- Panic Disorder
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Body Dysmorphic Disorder
- Health Anxiety
- Specific Phobia
- Anger
- Low self-esteem
- Common mental health problems (CMHPs) in the context of long-term health conditions
- Stress-related and adjustment difficulties
The person will be motivated to work towards goals and willing to engage with Psychological Therapy. They will have needs that can be managed within primary care (i.e. low-moderate levels of risk). They will not be using substances to a level that likely impact their ability to engage in therapy.
What do we provide?
- We offer individual and group psychological therapy virtually and face to face.
- Step 2 Low Intensity Therapy: Guided Self Help or SilverCloud
- Step 3 High Intensity Therapy: CBT, EMDR, IPT
- Counselling: provided by One Point
- Step 3+ Therapy: For higher levels of psychological complexity
- Employment Advisor Service
- Group therapy options: We currently offer a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Skills Group, Menopause Group and Perinatal Compassion Focused Therapy group.
How to refer?
Self-referral or professional referral can be completed via website the Bolton Talking Therapies webpage.
Referral and Assessment Hub (Secondary Care)
Who do we support?
Secondary Care services are for people aged 18+ (including Older People).
The services are inclusive of people with:
- Functional Mental Health conditions for Severe Mental Illness (SMI) (psychosis, bipolar disorder, complex emotional relational needs, complex trauma, co-occurring needs, complex co-morbid presentations etc.)
- Common Mental Health Problems with severe functional limitation or significant risk where needs cannot be met by NHS Talking Therapies: for anxiety and depression services.
- Specialist Mental Health medication needs which are too complex to manage in primary care, including needs relating to review of shared care medication, in line with Greater Manchester Medicines Management Group (GMMMG) guidance.
What do we provide?
The Referral and Assessment Hub offer an integrated front door into Community Mental Health services, including:
- Neighbourhood Mental Health Team (formerly Living Well)
- Specialist Community Mental Health Team
- Older Adults Community Mental Health Team
- Voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) locality partners
Where a secondary care level need is evident through the referral/screening, we will offer a holistic assessment to consider suitability for intervention from the teams listed above.
Response times:
- Urgent referrals – up to 7 days
- Routine referrals – up to 28 days
How to refer?
Professional referrals should be forwarded to the Referral and Assessment Hub.
How to contact Referral and Assessment Hub?
Email: BoltonRAH@gmmh.nhs.uk
Phone: 01204 483 301
Monday to Friday, 9am to 7pm
Urgent support
- NHS 111, select mental health option 2
- A&E Mental Health Liaison Team
Direct Referral Pathways
- Memory Assessment Team
- Perinatal Community Mental Health Team (CMHT)
- Early Intervention for Psychosis/EDIT
- Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) Support Team
- Adult Autism Diagnostic Service (TES)
As a service user, relative or carer using our services, sometimes you may need to turn to someone for help, advice, and support.
Find resources for carers and service users Contact the Trust