£343 million investment to expand community mental health services across England

The government has announced a £343 million investment to expand community mental health services across England, including the creation of 100 new community mental health centres and 59 dedicated mental health emergency departments.

Described by ministers as the biggest redesign of mental health services in a generation, the programme aims to improve access to care closer to home and ensure people experiencing a mental health crisis receive specialist support in the most appropriate setting.

The new community mental health centres will provide walk-in access to assessment, treatment and ongoing support without the need for a GP referral. Meanwhile, the dedicated mental health emergency departments will offer calm, therapeutic environments where people in crisis can be assessed rapidly by specialist mental health teams, reducing the need to attend busy general accident and emergency (A&E) departments.

The first facilities are expected to begin opening this autumn. Once complete, the additional sites will increase the total number of dedicated mental health emergency departments in England to 82.

Health Secretary Yvette Cooper said too many people currently receive support only after reaching crisis point, adding that the reforms are intended to help people access care earlier, reduce waiting times and provide the right treatment in the right place.

Mental health organisations have broadly welcomed the plans, while stressing that the success of the programme will depend on sufficient staffing and effective integration with existing NHS and community services.

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