A multi-million-pound investment will help people experiencing a mental health emergency get access to more crisis houses and safe havens, the Government has announced.
The Government today announced a £150m investment which is aimed at bolstering NHS mental health services, better supporting people in crisis outside of A&E, and enhancing patient safety in mental health units over the next three years.
The funding will help local communities invest in alternatives to hospital admission for people experiencing a mental health crisis, such as ‘crisis houses’ run by the voluntary sector which will ensure people can access the treatment they need within their community. This will help reduce avoidable hospital admissions.
The funding includes £7m for specialised mental health ambulances across the country to reduce the use of general ambulance call outs for those experiencing a mental health crisis. This will ease pressure on services, improve response times and outcomes for people in crisis.
The Government has also published its draft Mental Health Bill today setting out its reforms to the Mental Health Act.
Health and social care Secretary Sajid Javid said: ‘This is a significant moment in supporting people with serious mental health issues.
‘We’re investing more money to ensure NHS patients have tailored services and support, so people in a mental health emergency get the right care at the right time.
‘Our reforms to the outdated Mental Health Act are another important milestone in better supporting those with serious mental health issues and giving people greater control over their treatment, particularly those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are disproportionately detained under the Act.’
