NHS plan to open 'calm and welcoming' mental health A&Es across England to ease pressure on 'chaotic' major hospitals
The NHS is planning to open a network of 'calm and welcoming' mental health A&Es across England to treat patients who are in crisis.
The specialist units will be offer around the clock care to relieve pressure on already overcrowded hospitals and emergency services.
Around 250,000 people went to A&E last year due to a mental health crisis - with around a quarter facing a wait of 12 hours or longer.
It comes as lengthy delays and the so-called 'corridor care' crisis at major hospitals have been linked to thousands of avoidable deaths.
Doctors and nurses at the new mental health A&Es will support patients who are either suicidal or experiencing symptoms such as psychosis or mania.
People will be able to 'walk-in' to the centres or be referred by either their GP or the police.
The A&Es will be designed to provide a 'calm and caring environment', rather than the 'noise and chaos' of busy trauma centres, it has been reported.
For example, one unit which has already opened in Ladbroke Grove, west London, has two 'emotional support dogs' that cuddle up to patients.
Fresh fruit, biscuits, tea and coffee and other refreshments are also laid out for people who come in.
Sir Jim Mackey, the chief executive of NHS England, told The Times: '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.'
Separate mental health A&Es have already been introduced by ten NHS trusts - with the scheme set to be expanded in the next decade by the Labour government.
It comes as UK public services have been struggling to cope with a rise in demand from people suffering from mental health issues.
And last year, the Met Police said it would stopping attending mental health-linked emergency calls unless there is a threat to life.
The move is designed to free up officers to spend more time on their core roles, rather than dealing with patients in need of medical help from experts.
But serious concerns were raised about what the policy change could mean for vulnerable individuals and whether it will prove practical on the ground.
A Met spokesperson said that the force needed to 'redress the imbalance of responsibility', noting the considerable amount of time taken up by such incidents.
Humberside Police introduced a similar policy, known as Right Care, Right Person (RCRP) in 2020, with mental health professionals dealing with calls.
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