New briefing highlights challenges facing crisis and inpatient mental health services

Responding to the Centre for Mental Health’s briefing on the most effective ways of supporting people in a mental health crisis, Rebecca Gray, NHS Confederation mental health director, said:

“This briefing shines a welcome light on the challenges currently facing crisis and inpatient mental health services and support.

“NHS and voluntary, charity and social enterprise (VCSE) providers have worked together to significantly expand crisis provision, including crisis houses and assessment centres, psychiatric liaison services in acute hospitals and phone lines. The commitments in the government’s Ten-Year Health Plan such as new Mental Health Emergency Departments, expansion of 24/7 neighbourhood mental health care centres and assertive outreach teams, can also build on existing work to provide more proactive care and keep people well and out of hospital.

“But we know that due to demand outstripping capacity the needs of many individuals such as children and young people, people with learning disabilities and autism as well as minoritised communities are not being met.

“All parts of the system – including ICBs as strategic commissioners, providers in mental health, ambulance and acute services – must work together to support the development and expansion of the most effective, evidence-based pathways for crisis support, including VCSE provision.”