Over the next decade, specialist mental health crisis centres will open across England. This is in a bid to reduce crowding in accident and emergency (A&E) departments, the NHS said. Ten hospital trusts have begun to pilot new assessment centres to care for people suffering from a mental health crisis.
The goal is to help patients receive appropriate are in a calmer environment, and avoid long waits in A&E. The new units, according to NHS England, would reduce hospitals overcrowding and relieve the pressure on emergency services, including the police.
But any new provision, Andy Bell, CEO of the Centre for Mental Health, an independent charity, would need to be properly funded. The scheme is likely to expand nationally to “dozens of locations” as part of the government’s 10-year NHS plan.
These mental health clinics will be open to walk-in patients and also to those referred by GPs or the police. Specialist staff will be on hand to treat people in acute mental distress.
NHS England chief Sir Jim Mackey praised the “pioneering new model of care” that will allow people to “get the right support in the right setting.”
“As well as relieving pressure on our busy A&Es, mental health crisis assessment centres can speed up access to appropriate care, offering people the help they need much sooner so they can stay out of hospital.”
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