New funding for mental health emergency departments to improve care for people in mental health crisis in South West London
These new services are not open yet, but we are working closely with our local acute hospitals to develop them. While this work continues, urgent mental health support is available now.
People experiencing a mental health crisis in Emergency Departments in South West London will receive faster, more appropriate care thanks to a £1.9m investment into Mental Health Emergency Departments.
This initial investment will mean that people in mental health crisis can be assessed and supported by specialist mental health professionals, providing a calmer, more therapeutic environment away from the pressures of the main Emergency Department.
Demand for urgent mental health care has continued to rise in recent years, with increasing numbers of people attending Emergency Departments during periods of acute distress. Too often, people can face long waits in busy, noisy environments that are not designed to meet their needs.
The project is a partnership between the South West London health system, including South West London and St George’s Mental Health Trust, St George’s Hospital, Croydon University Hospital and Kingston Hospital, working together to design our mental health Emergency Department response.
Vanessa Ford, Chief Executive of South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust, said: "This investment is a really important step forward. Dedicated mental health Emergency Departments can offer a more therapeutic environment, enable earlier assessment by specialist mental health teams and help ensure people receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time. This initial investment puts us in a strong position to work with our partners across South West London's Emergency Departments and continue improving care for people experiencing a mental health crisis."
Mat Shaw, St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group (gesh) Chief Executive, said: “Record numbers of patients are being treated in our emergency departments and - on some occasions - half of those in our care don't have physical injuries but are in mental health crisis. We know that a stressful A&E department is not the right place for people in crisis so this vital investment will enable us to treat people in a more suitable environment with dedicated, specialist mental health support.”
Dedicated mental health emergency departments form part of wider work across South West London to improve crisis and urgent and emergency mental health care, reduce unnecessary admissions and ensure people experiencing mental ill health receive timely, compassionate and person-centred support.
Planned investment in Neighbourhood Mental Health Centres
Alongside this, our Trust has applied for funding to develop a Neighbourhood Mental Health Centre in each of our five boroughs, as part of the NHS’s national programme to transform community mental health care. Exact locations have not yet been decided and these will be developed together with our partners, patients, carers and local communities.
The centres will bring together mental health services with wider support including crisis care, peer support, housing, employment, social care and voluntary and community organisations, creating a more joined-up neighbourhood offer. The aim is to provide earlier support, improve continuity of care and reduce the need for hospital and emergency care.
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These new services are not open yet, but we are working closely with our local acute hospitals to develop them. While this work continues, urgent mental health support is available now:
- Call NHS 111 and select the mental health option. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can call for yourself or someone else, and you do not need to have used mental health services before.
- Get support via WhatsApp. Message 0303 330 1511 to speak to a trained adviser who will listen and help you find the right support.
- Visit a Recovery Café. These free walk-in services offer a safe and welcoming space where you can talk to people who understand and get support when you need it.
Find a full list of Recovery Cafés and other mental health support services on our urgent help page.
