New and upgraded NHS mental health facilities are coming to London, as part of a nationwide programme delivering up to 155 sites across England. 

NHS teams across London are working towards opening or upgrading 23 Mental Health Neighbourhood Centres and 10 Mental Health Emergency Departments, in the most significant overhaul of neighbourhood mental health services in a generation. 

The new neighbourhood centres, on high streets and in local communities, will help Londoners access support earlier and closer to home, rather than waiting until they reach crisis point. Dedicated mental health emergency departments will mean people in crisis no longer need to turn to busy A&Es. 

The centres will bring specialist mental health teams together in one place, working alongside GPs, councils, voluntary organisations and families, with links to housing and employment support. Some will be purpose-built, others based in existing spaces such as libraries and bank branches, each designed with a welcoming, non-clinical feel. 

The new emergency departments, based within existing emergency departments and working closely with police and ambulance services, will offer same-day specialist support and a calmer, more therapeutic environment for people in crisis who don’t need traditional A&E treatment, helping them reach the right next step quickly, whether that’s inpatient care, community support or help at home. 

Dr Chris Streather, Regional Medical Director for the NHS in London, said: “For too long, many Londoners have only been able to access mental health support once they’ve reached breaking point. 

“These new neighbourhood centres mean people across the capital can get help sooner, in places that are familiar and easy to reach, long before problems spiral. And for those who need urgent care, our new emergency departments will ensure they’re seen quickly by the right specialists in the right environment. 

“This is how we’re changing mental health in London – stopping people reaching crisis in the first place, reducing waiting times, and shaping an NHS that meets the needs of the future.” 

This is the first stage of a wider rollout set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, backed by more than £327 million in mental health infrastructure investment over the next four years nationally. 

Mental health needs have grown considerably in recent years, particularly among children and young people, with roughly one in five people affected by a common mental health condition annually. Too often, support only arrives once someone has reached crisis point, adding further strain to families and NHS services. 

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust are one of the trusts set to benefit from this new investment. 

Paul Calaminus, Chief Executive Officer at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We’re delighted to welcome this shift in mental healthcare to meet people where they are. Urgent Treatment Centres within the community will play an important role in improving urgent mental health care for our local populations.  

“We see every day in South London that many people do not seek support for their mental health due to stigma, cultural beliefs or access issues – until they reach their breaking point and end up in A&Es. These new centres will make urgent treatment for mental health more accessible while reducing pressures on other services.” 

Professor Derek Tracy, Chief Medical Officer at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, added: “I know that most mental health professionals will join me in celebrating this positive announcement for our sector. Bringing mental health care closer to our communities is an approach we’ve been investing in across South London. Our recent 24/7 community service pilot in Lewisham is one of the six early pioneers of this appropriate emphasis and enhancement of community care, with the learning from this helping to shape the future of mental health services in line with the NHS 10 Year Plan.  

“We’ve had promising positive feedback from the communities and the teams about the pilot, and our early data are showing the work making a difference in terms of reduced need for emergency and crisis care. We are looking forward to seeing the great work continue and branch outward across London and England to support more people in need.”  

The announcement supports the government’s ambition to shift the focus of care from crisis to prevention, and complements the upcoming Mental Health Strategy, which will look at the wider role of schools, employers, local government and voluntary organisations in supporting good mental health. 

By intervening earlier, the government aims to help more children stay in education, more adults remain in or return to work, and fewer people reach crisis point, building a healthier, more resilient capital.