NEW 24-hour mental health hubs open in north east London

The new hubs will be developed by North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) in Waltham Forest, Barking and Dagenham, and Redbridge.

The first two are expected to open in 2028, with the Redbridge site planned for completion in 2030.

Brid Johnson, chief operating officer at NELFT, said: "Our new 24/7 Community Mental Health Hubs will provide people with a real alternative to hospital admission with timely and effective support closer to home.

"Over the past 18 months, we have opened several community mental health services and have already seen the positive difference they are making to people's recovery, wellbeing and experience of care. These new hubs will build on that success, helping more people access the right support at the right time in their local community."

Each hub will offer round-the-clock crisis support in a community setting, providing a safe space for those experiencing a mental health crisis.

The services are designed to help people remain in the community where possible, rather than being admitted to hospital.

Calvin Bailey, MP for Leyton and Wanstead, recently visited NELFT's crisis assessment hub at Goodmayes Hospital.

Mr Bailey said: "I've seen first-hand the difference community-based support can make to people in crisis, and it was valuable to visit NELFT's Crisis Assessment Hub at Goodmayes, which serves residents across north east London including my own constituents in Leyton and Wanstead. More investment in mental health services across the region is so welcome, but as these services expand we need the highest standards of safety and accountability to be maintained."

The new hubs are part of a wider programme to strengthen neighbourhood mental health services. The programme follows the Government’s recent announcement of £343 million of investment in mental health facilities across England.