People across the South East will benefit from new NHS mental health facilities as part of a nationwide rollout of up to 159 sites designed to help people get support earlier, closer to home and before they reach crisis point. 

Local NHS teams across the South East are working towards delivering 11 new Mental Health Emergency Departments and 12 new Community Mental Health Centres over the next four years. Together, these facilities represent the biggest redesign of NHS mental health services in a generation and will significantly expand access to specialist support across Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent & Medway, Sussex, Surrey, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.

New Mental Health Emergency Departments will provide fast, same‑day specialist care for people experiencing a mental health crisis who are medically fit and do not need treatment in A&E. Located within or alongside emergency departments, they will offer 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. This will help reduce pressure on busy emergency departments and ensure people receive the right care in the right place.

Over the next four years, two new mental health emergency departments will be developed across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, one in Thames Valley, five in Surrey and Sussex, and three in Kent and Medway. Some will be new builds, while others will repurpose existing sites.

Alongside improvements to crisis care, new Community Mental Health Centres will bring together mental health teams, social care, voluntary sector partners and specialist support under one roof. Located in neighbourhoods, high streets and community settings, they will make it easier for people to get help earlier and closer to home — often without needing a referral.

 Four new community mental health centres will be developed in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, three across Thames Valley, and five in Surrey and Sussex. As with the emergency departments, some will be new facilities and others will be conversions of existing buildings.

These centres will support people with a wide range of mental health needs, working closely with GPs, local authorities, housing teams, employment support and voluntary organisations to provide joined up care tailored to local communities.

Dr Christopher Tibbs, NHS England South East Medical Director, said: 

“When someone is struggling with their mental health, getting the right support quickly and in a place that feels safe can make all the difference. These new centres will mean people across the South East can get help earlier and closer to home, with teams who understand their needs and can offer personalised support before problems escalate.

And when someone is in crisis, our new mental health emergency departments will provide a calm, specialist environment where they can be seen straight away by the right professionals, rather than waiting in a busy A&E.

This investment is about improving people’s experience of care — helping them feel listened to, supported and connected to services that can make a real difference in their lives.”

This rollout is part of the 10‑Year Health Plan, backed by more than £327 million in mental health facilities over the next four years. It supports the government’s mission to shift care from crisis to prevention — helping more children stay in education, more adults remain in or return to work and reducing the number of people reaching crisis point.

• Eastbourne General Hospital 
• East Surrey
• John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford
• Medway Maritime Hospital
• North Hampshire Hospital (2 sites)
• Royal County Hospital, Brighton
• Silverwood, Surrey
• University Hospital Southampton
• Thanet Mental Health Unit, Margate
• William Harvey Hospital, Ashford
• Worthing General Hospital or St Richards Chichester

• Buckinghamshire
• East Surrey
• Guildford & Waverley
• Hampshire or Isle of Wight (4 sites)
• Oxfordshire
• Slough
• Eastbourne
• Sussex
• West Sussex