People experiencing mental health problems across Humber and North Yorkshire will get faster, more joined-up care closer to home, as the government announces up to 159 new mental health facilities across England.
In the North East and Yorkshire region, local NHS teams are working towards delivering 15 new community mental health centres and 10 new mental health emergency departments, subject to approvals, as part of the biggest redesign of NHS neighbourhood mental health services in a generation.
The new community mental health centres will bring together mental health and specialist teams under one roof, making it easier for people to get the right support before problems escalate. Working alongside GPs, local authorities, the voluntary sector and families, with links to housing and employment support, they will deliver joined-up care tailored to communities.
Some of the mental health centres will be newly built facilities, while others will be in libraries, banks and other community or high street locations to move care closer to where people live. They will be the heart of the neighbourhoods they serve and designed as welcoming settings with a non-clinical appearance.
The new mental health emergency departments across the region will provide fast, same-day specialist support for people experiencing a crisis who are medically fit and do not need treatment in A&E. Located with emergency departments and working closely with ambulance and police services, they will provide a calm, therapeutic environment where people can be assessed quickly and connected to the right ongoing care, whether that’s inpatient treatment, support at home or community services.
Dr Yasmin Khan, Regional Medical Director (Interim) for NHS North East and Yorkshire, said:
“These new community mental health centres represent a real opportunity to transform the way people access support across the North East and Yorkshire.”
“By bringing care closer to home and helping people get the right support earlier, we can make a meaningful difference before challenges become crises. And when urgent help is needed, new mental health emergency departments will ensure people are seen quickly by specialist teams in the right environment. This is an important step towards a future where more people get help when they need it, waiting times are reduced, and mental health care is focused on prevention as well as treatment.
“If you, a friend, family member or colleague is struggling, please don’t wait until things reach crisis point. Reach out, seek support early, and help us build a future where mental health care is accessible, compassionate and available whenever it is needed.”
The rollout is a major step towards shifting mental health care from crisis to prevention. Nationally, it includes 100 new community mental health centres to help people get support earlier and closer to home, alongside 59 dedicated mental health emergency departments providing specialist care for people in crisis. Backed by £343 million, they represent the biggest redesign of NHS neighbourhood mental health services in a generation.
The announcement also supports the government’s mission to shift care from crisis to prevention, helping people get support earlier and closer to home. It aligns with the forthcoming Mental Health Strategy, which will look beyond the NHS to the role of schools, employers, local government and the voluntary sector in supporting good mental health.
Nationally, the first wave of sites is expected to open from this autumn, with further facilities opening from March next year. The first wave will include 27 mental health emergency departments and 43 community mental health centres.
