Psychiatric Assessment Unit
What we do
We see individuals who are in crisis. The Psychiatric Assessment Unit (PAU) is a mental health emergency unit at Waterford Hospital that provides assessment of urgent mental health concerns on a walk-in basis.
All clients are seen by a psychiatric nurse, physician and or psychiatric resident/psychiatrist.
The PAU is the only psychiatric emergency room in NL.
Note: Individuals requiring emergency mental health services who would previously present to the PAU at the Waterford Hospital should proceed to the Mental Health and Addictions Centre (MHAC), located at 300 Prince Phillip Drive in St. John’s, starting at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday April 13, 2025. Individuals are advised to enter through the main entrance of MHAC to access the PAU.
For more information, please see the PSA (Transition of Emergency Mental Health Services to New Mental Health and Addictions Centre).
How to access this service
This is a walk-in service. A referral is not necessary. Individuals who are in crisis can present to the PAU.
Self-present to the emergency room. A referral is not necessary.
Referral to follow-up services may also be provided as needed.
You may also access this service by being consulted to psychiatric services through other means such as referral from another Hospital)
Our team
- Psychiatric physicians
- Psychiatric nurses
- Psychiatric residents
- General practitioners
Where we are
Psychiatric Assessment Unit
306 Waterford Bridge Rd.
St. John’s, NL
A1E 4J8
Note: The Psychiatric Assessment Unit (PAU) is relocating from the Waterford Hospital to the new Mental Health and Addictions Centre (MHAC), located at 300 Prince Phillip Drive in St. John’s, on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at 7:00 a.m.
The PAU at the Waterford Hospital location will remain open until it transfers to the new location on Sunday, April 13, 2025, at 7:00 a.m. For more information, please see the PSA (Transition of Emergency Mental Health Services to New Mental Health and Addictions Centre).
Our hours of operation
24 hours, seven days a week.
How to reach us
Telephone: 709-777-3021