NHS walk-in mental health clinics will ‘turn tide’ on crisis and wait lists – as 100 open on high streets, says Govt

DOZENS of NHS mental health centres and emergency departments will open in a bid to “turn the tide” on Britain’s emotional crisis. Ministers say patients must get faster help before and during a crisis. One in five people have mental health difficulties each year Credit: Alamy Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “These new centres will be a lifeline for so many.” Credit: AP Some are forced to wait days in standard A&E for specialist treatment so dedicated services could also cut waits for other patients. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “Every day, thousands of people are waiting months for help, then finding the only door open to them is a busy A&E. Sign up for the Health newsletter Thank you! “These new centres will be a lifeline for so many. “They will bring NHS services closer to home, making it easier to get support before problems get worse, and ensuring those in crisis get the right care in the right place.” Read more on mental health The health service will open 59 new mental health emergency departments in existing hospitals. There are 23 already and they work with ambulance crews and police to quickly move patients in crisis to the right help instead of leaving them in public waiting rooms. There will also be up to 159 walk-in mental health clinics in town and city centres. These are intended to keep people out of A&E by giving them fast help as soon as they start struggling. Most read in Health Around one in five people in the UK have a mental health problem in any given year, most commonly depression or anxiety. The Department of Health said demand for treatment has risen sharply, especially among children and young people. It said fast-track treatment will help patients stay in school or work. Mental health troubles are a leading cause of long-term sick notes and are estimated to cost the economy more than £300billion pounds per year. Health Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “This is how we can turn the tide on mental ill health. “Preventing more people from reaching crisis, cutting waits for care, and building an NHS which is there for everyone when they need it.” Tom Pollard, of the charity Mind, added: “Too often we hear from people struggling to access overstretched services whose mental health worsens because of this. “This could transform the quality and accessibility of mental health support.” Comment now