The UK government will open 100 community mental health centres and 59 additional specialist mental health emergency departments across England, supported by £343 million. Hubs — some located in high-street sites such as libraries and banks — will offer walk-in support, while new crisis units will provide same-day specialist care within emergency departments. The rollout will bring dedicated mental health emergency departments to 82 sites, with initial openings later this year and more from March 2027. Officials say the changes aim to reach people earlier, cut waits and reduce pressure on A&E.
UK to Open 100 Community Mental Health Centres and 59 Specialist Crisis Units Backed by £343m
FILE PHOTO - UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham visits the HM Coastguard Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, in Dover. (is associated with: «UK prime minister announces new 'lifeline' mental health centres») Jack Taylor/PA Wire/dpa
The UK government has announced a major expansion of mental health services across England, creating 100 community mental health centres and 59 additional specialist mental health emergency departments. Officials say the move aims to get people support earlier, closer to home and reduce pressure on busy accident and emergency (A&E) units.
What The New Facilities Will Offer
The community hubs will provide walk-in support so people can attend without a referral. Some sites will be newly built, while others will be established in familiar high-street locations such as libraries, banks and other town-centre spaces to increase accessibility.
Meanwhile, the extra mental health emergency departments will be based within hospital emergency departments but operate as dedicated specialist units. They are intended to offer same-day assessment and care in a calm, therapeutic environment for people who are medically fit and do not require A&E treatment.
Numbers, Funding and Timing
The package is backed by £343 million (around $461 million). The rollout will bring the total number of dedicated mental health emergency departments in England to 82. The Department of Health and Social Care says the first sites will open later this year, with further facilities following from March 2027.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham: "Nobody should be left to struggle with their mental health alone. But every day, thousands of people are waiting months for help, then finding the only door open to them is a busy A&E."
Health Secretary Yvette Cooper: "Too many people are only getting mental health support when they reach crisis point, after struggling for far too long to get the help they need. These new community mental health centres will help people get support earlier and closer to home... This is how we can turn the tide on mental ill health."
Context And Demand
Pressure on mental health services remains high: NHS figures show 2.36 million people in England had an open referral with mental health services at the end of May 2026, up from 2.10 million a year earlier and 1.95 million in May 2024. Officials describe the programme as the "biggest redesign of mental health services in a generation."
The initiative focuses on accessibility, early intervention and ensuring specialist crisis care is provided in the right setting to reduce waiting times and prevent problems from escalating.
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