Wakefield set for new mental health emergency department as NHS announces £343m expansion
Wakefield is among the locations earmarked for a new mental health emergency department as part of a £343 million expansion of NHS services across England.
The government has announced plans for 159 new NHS mental health facilities, including 59 dedicated mental health emergency departments designed to provide specialist care for people experiencing a crisis without relying on busy A&E departments.
Wakefield is specifically listed as one of ten locations for a new mental health emergency department across the North East and Yorkshire.
The final location and arrangements are still subject to design, procurement and business case approvals.
The announcement was made by Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Health and Social Care Secretary Yvette Cooper, the MP for Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley.
Mr Burnham said: "Nobody should be left to struggle with their mental health alone. But every day, thousands of people are waiting months for help, then finding the only door open to them is a busy A&E.
"These new centres will be a lifeline for so many. They will bring NHS services closer to home, making it easier to get support before problems get worse, and ensuring those in crisis get the right care in the right place."
Ms Cooper said: "Too many people are only getting mental health support when they reach crisis point, after struggling for far too long to get the help they need.
"These new community mental health centres will help people get support earlier and closer to home, making it easier to get the right care before problems escalate.
“And when someone does need urgent help, new mental health emergency departments will be able to make sure they are seen quickly by specialist teams in the right setting."
The government said the new emergency departments will provide fast, same-day specialist support for people experiencing a crisis who are medically fit and do not need treatment in A&E.
They will be located alongside emergency departments and work closely with ambulance and police services, providing a calm environment where people can be assessed quickly and connected to appropriate ongoing care.
Its rollout will more than double the number of dedicated mental health emergency departments in England, taking the total to 82.
The first facilities are expected to open from autumn 2026, with further sites following from March 2027.
Alongside the emergency departments, 100 new community mental health centres are planned.
These will bring mental health and specialist teams together in neighbourhood settings, with some based in existing community or high-street premises such as libraries and banks.
The government said the centres will offer support without a referral and are intended to help people before their problems reach crisis point.
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."
The announcement forms part of the government's wider 10 Year Health Plan and its stated aim of shifting mental health care away from crisis response and towards prevention.
While Wakefield has been identified as a location, the government has said that final locations remain subject to approvals.