The first 24/7 ‘neighbourhood mental health centre’ announced in the 10-year plan has now opened in London.
Earlier this month, the Government pledged to ‘transform mental health services into 24/7 neighbourhood care models’ as part of the NHS 10-year plan.
Now NHS England has announced that the first of six neighbourhood mental health centres – which will largely be run by NHS trusts – has opened in East London.
It will bring together community mental health services, including crisis services, community mental health services and short-stay beds and will be run by East London NHS Foundation Trust.
Patients with serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia or bipolar, will be able to walk in without an appointment if they need support, or advice on employment, housing or volunteering.
NHS England added that the six centres will be staffed by a team that includes psychiatrists, mental health professionals, peer support workers and voluntary sector staff.
More mental health centres to open
The other five centres are set to open in:
Whitehaven (Cumbria) – Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
Acomb (York) – York Mental Health Partnership
Heeley (Sheffield) – Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust
East of Birmingham – Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
Lewisham (London) – South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.
Source: NHS England
Primary care minister Stephen Kinnock said: ‘Our landmark 10-year health plan committed to transforming mental health services into 24/7 neighbourhood care models.
‘We are hitting the ground running by already opening the first mental health centre, shifting care out of hospitals and into the community and bringing care closer to home where people feel most comfortable and supported.’
NHS England national mental health director Claire Murdoch said: ‘We know that for people with serious mental health problems it can be daunting to seek help, and people can be overwhelmed by the different teams they come into contact with.
‘That is why the NHS has been determined to make mental healthcare as easy as possible. The “one-stop shop” approach will mean that people can get the care they need closer to home and at an earlier stage, with treatment in a comfortable environment.
‘Whether someone needs help with their mental health, housing, or work, they’ll find help in their community, around the clock, and without the need for a referral.’
It comes after one large ICB in London chose a number of hospital trusts – rather than GPs – to oversee the new ‘neighbourhood health service’ across its footprint.
South East London ICB said that, following the 10-year plan, it has approved partnerships between primary and secondary care, called ‘neighbourhood health service integrators’, in four of its six boroughs.
Earlier today, Pulse revealed that GPs in one area have been advised to hold off from taking part in new ‘neighbourhood health programmes’, amid a lack of clarity and fears that these could jeopardise GMS contracts.