The NHS is set to open a nationwide network of dedicated mental health emergency units in England, as part of a major initiative to tackle the growing crisis in mental health care provision.
The move comes in response to soaring demand for emergency services and increasing pressure on traditional A&E departments, which are often ill-equipped to handle acute mental health presentations.
Rising demand highlights urgency
Recent figures have painted a stark picture of the strain on England’s emergency mental health services.
Over 275,000 mental health-related incidents were recorded in A&E departments in 2024 alone, while 999 calls relating to mental health emergencies soared to 665,768, with increases of up to 45% in some regions, according to The Times.
Recent figures have painted a stark picture of the strain on England’s emergency mental health services
In some of the most concerning cases, patients in mental health crisis have waited as long as six days in A&E for a suitable inpatient psychiatric bed.
This alarming trend has been further underlined by a sharp rise in referrals to crisis teams.
Data from The Guardian revealed that very urgent adult referrals to mental health crisis services more than doubled between 2023 and 2024, climbing from 1,400 to 3,063 cases.
A new approach to emergency mental health care
In response to these mounting challenges, NHS England has announced plans to establish specialist mental health emergency departments designed to provide a calm, welcoming, and clinically appropriate setting for those in acute distress.
The aim is to offer rapid, tailored support while alleviating pressure on general emergency departments, which are often noisy, overstretched, and lacking the specialist facilities needed for effective mental health care.
In January 2023, £150 million in funding was allocated for this initiative, according to a government press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care.
In response to these mounting challenges, NHS England has announced plans to establish specialist mental health emergency departments
The investment will support the creation of 150 new mental health urgent and emergency care services across the country.
These will include crisis cafés, crisis houses, health-based places of safety, and dedicated emergency units.
Additionally, up to 100 specialised mental health ambulances are being introduced to help transport patients in crisis in a calmer, safer environment.
Transforming the patient experience
The introduction of these new units represents a significant shift in how emergency mental health care is delivered in England.
The dedicated spaces are expected to not only reduce wait times and improve patient outcomes but also create a more dignified and therapeutic environment for individuals experiencing severe psychological distress.
As demand for mental health services continues to climb, a trend widely acknowledged by both frontline clinicians and policy-makers, this initiative signals a timely and necessary intervention.
It aligns with NHS England’s broader strategy to reform urgent and emergency care services and address longstanding shortcomings in mental health provision.