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Walk-in mental health centres to open in banks and libraries across England
The plan would expand walk-in support and crisis care, with officials saying 2.36 million people in England had open mental health referrals in May 2026.
- The Department announced plans to create 100 new community mental health centres and 59 dedicated mental health A&Es by 2029, offering walk-in support to prevent patients from reaching crisis point.
- According to NHS figures, 2.36 million people in England had open referrals in May 2026, up from 1.95 million in May 2024, driving demand for alternatives to overcrowded emergency departments.
- Backed by £343 million, the centres will open in high street locations like banks and libraries, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham calling them a "lifeline" for people waiting "months" for help.
- Stephen Jones of the Royal College of Nursing warned success requires specialist mental health nurses, while Andy Bell of the Centre for Mental Health expressed concerns about whether emergency departments have been properly tested.
- The first sites will open this autumn, with "further facilities following from March 2027" as part of the forthcoming Mental Health Strategy The Department expects to publish later this year.
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Total News Sources17
Leaning Left2Leaning Right3Center8Last UpdatedBias Distribution62% Center
Bias Distribution
- 62% of the sources are Center
62% Center
15%
C 62%
R 23%
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