Mental health A&Es to be rolled out across England

The NHS is opening a network of mental health A&Es across England to relieve pressure on hospitals amid the ongoing "corridor care" crisis.

- BRYONY GOOCH

These units will be staffed with specialist doctors and nurses to provide 24/7 support for patients feeling suicidal or experiencing symptoms such as psychosis or mania, NHS England confirmed.

Patients will be able to walk in or be referred by GP and the police to these units, designed to be a “calm and welcoming” environment in contrast to the “noise and chaos” of hospitals.

Sir Jim Mackey, the chief executive of NHS England, said: “Crowded A&Es are not designed to treat people in mental health crisis. We need to do better, which is why we are pioneering a new model of care where patients get the right support in the right setting.

“As well as relieving pressure on our busy A&Es, mental health crisis assessment centres can speed up access to appropriate care, offering people the help they need much sooner so they can stay out of hospital.”