Mental health A&E units to open across England where patients can be seen in 10 minutes
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Mental health A&E units in England to open - what to know
- The NHS is launching a network of mental health A&Es across England to alleviate pressure on hospitals and address the "corridor care" crisis, offering 24/7 support for individuals experiencing mental health crises.
- These units will be staffed with specialist doctors and nurses, providing a calm environment for patients who can walk in, be referred by a GP, or the police.
- NHS England aims to improve mental health care by offering quicker access to appropriate support, reducing hospital stays, and relieving pressure on busy A&Es, where 250,000 people experiencing mental health crises visited last year.
- Ten NHS trusts have already established separate mental health crisis units, with plans to expand the scheme nationally as part of the 10-year NHS plan.
- A new mental health unit in Ladbroke Grove, London, ensures that every patient is seen by a mental health specialist within 10 minutes, offering early intervention and connections to community treatment.