People across England will soon be able to access specialist walk-in hubs close to their homes for their mental health needs, under a major new government initiative.
Ministers have set out plans to create a network of nearly 200 community mental health centres and mental health A&Es by 2029, according to BBC.
The scheme will see 159 new NHS mental health facilities open across England, building on six pilot centres currently operating, including a site in Sheffield.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said that thousands of people are still waiting months for help as A&E is mostly busy. He stressed that nobody should be left alone to struggle.
Health and Social Care Secretary Yvette Cooper added: “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.”
However, the Royal College of Nursing highlighted the need for specialist mental health nurses at the front line, warning that without staff investment the new centres may not meet demand.
Stephen Jones, of the Royal College of Nursing, said he agreed investment in staff would be crucial if the new centres were going to cope with demand.
"More services closer to people's homes are a crucial step towards more humane care," he said.
But he added: "To succeed, both will need specialist mental health nurses at the centre."
Dr Nick Broughton, National Priority Programme Director for Mental Health, Learning Disability and Neurodevelopmental Conditions, said: “The rollout of more community mental health centres and dedicated mental health emergency departments will build on this work, strengthening both early support in the community and care for people in crisis, while helping services work together more effectively around people’s needs.”
Henry Gregg, Chief Executive of the National Pharmacy Association said: "It is vital that people with mental health problems receive the care and treatment they are entitled to, and pharmacies are in a great position to support plans to make mental health care easier for patients to access.
"Pharmacies occupy highly accessible places on high streets up and down our country and the government should leverage this to use them as a venue for new mental health centres.
"Pharmacies already see 1.6 million patients a day to provide vital health services and already provide walk in and are trusted places for patients to access support."
