Key Points
- NHS England has launched its first 24/7 neighbourhood mental health centre in Tower Hamlets, East London, a key promise of the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan.
- The centre represents a shift away from hospital-based care to accessible, community mental health support, available around the clock and without appointment.
- Claire Murdoch, National Mental Health Director at NHS England, emphasised the initiative’s aim to make mental healthcare “as easy as possible,” using a ‘one-stop shop’ approach for both clinical and social support.
- The new unit brings together crisis services, community health teams, short-stay beds, and support for issues such as housing and employment under one roof.
- The service is open to all, particularly offering walk-in support for those with severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
- The Tower Hamlets site is the first of six similar units opening across England this year, with locations also in Whitehaven, York, Sheffield, East Birmingham, and Lewisham.
- The 10 Year Health Plan will invest up to £120million for new mental health emergency departments and expanded services, with a goal to transform mental health services nationwide to a 24/7 model.
- The Royal College of Psychiatrists and other sector leaders broadly welcomed the unit, but called for sustained investment and specialist provision for the most complex cases.
- The rollout forms part of wider NHS reforms, which include 24/7 psychiatric teams at A&E, mental health crisis helplines, and integration of community organisations into care provision.
- Local patients, NHS officials, and mental health professionals have all welcomed the new approach, underscoring the value of integrated care close to home.
Today marks a significant milestone for mental health services in the United Kingdom as the NHS opens its first 24/7 neighbourhood mental health centre in Tower Hamlets, East London. This flagship initiative, a pivotal element of the recently published 10 Year Health Plan, is set to transform how care is delivered to those living with serious mental health conditions by shifting services from hospitals into community settings and offering walk-in support around the clock.
What is the New 24/7 Neighbourhood Mental Health Centre and Why is it Important?
As outlined in National Health Executive by the editorial team, the Tower Hamlets centre is the first of six neighbourhood mental health hubs scheduled to open across England in 2025, each designed to provide a single point of access for individuals experiencing mental health challenges. These hubs unite crisis intervention, ongoing community mental health support, short-stay beds, and services covering social needs such as housing and employment—all accessible without an appointment.
Claire Murdoch, NHS England’s National Mental Health Director, stated to Building Better Healthcare:
“We know that for people with serious mental health problems it can be daunting to seek help, and people can be overwhelmed by the different teams they come into contact with. That is why the NHS has been determined to make mental healthcare as easy as possible. The ‘one-stop shop’ approach will mean that people can get the care they need closer to home and at an earlier stage, with treatment in a comfortable environment”.
Further, Murdoch encouraged anyone struggling with their mental health to reach out—either through GPs, NHS 111, or by attending the local neighbourhood centre directly.
How Does the New Centre Change Access to Mental Health Support?
Writing for NHS England, the communications team noted that the Tower Hamlets centre offers walk-in support for residents with severe mental illness such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, as well as assistance with socioeconomic needs—ensuring people need not wait for referrals or appointments to access help.
The new 24/7 centre brings together a multidisciplinary team including psychiatrists, mental health professionals, peer support workers, voluntary sector staff, and people with lived experience. Rebecca Gray, speaking for the NHS Confederation, described the move as “trailblazing,” and highlighted its importance for making support services less fragmented and more responsive than ever before.
What Services are Available Under One Roof at the Mental Health Hub?
According to Healthcare Management UK, the range of care offered includes:
- Crisis services for urgent interventions.
- Continuity of care, with patients supported by the same trusted team throughout recovery.
- Support with employment, housing, volunteering, and other social determinants of health.
- Co-location of local authority, faith, voluntary, and community partners to form an integrated support network.
As reported by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Dr Lade Smith CBE, President of RCPsych, commented:
“A neighbourhood health approach can reduce the likelihood of people developing a worsening of their illness and ensure their housing, financial and other needs are met. It has been shown to improve partnership working between mental health services and the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector…” Dr Smith further noted that new 24/7 pilot centres have an important role to play but are “not a replacement for the targeted and specialist care these patients need”.
What Are the Broader Goals of the 10 Year Health Plan?
As outlined by the editorial team at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM), the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan aims for three key shifts in NHS care:
- From hospitals to communities
- From analogue to digital
- From treating sickness to focusing on prevention.
David Bradley, SLaM’s Chief Executive, shared:
“We welcome the direction that the new 10 Year Health Plan sets for the NHS. Its three core priorities of improving access to community services, making better use of technology and focusing on preventing illness, aligns with our vision to place mental health care at the heart of the communities we serve”.
The plan also pledges up to £120million to develop dedicated mental health emergency departments and expand mental health teams in schools and colleges, in pursuit of 100% national coverage for 24/7 neighbourhood care over the next decade.
Where Will Other Centres Open, and Why These Locations?
As reported by National Health Executive, the choice for the initial six locations—Tower Hamlets, Whitehaven, York, Sheffield, East Birmingham, and Lewisham—reflects a deliberate mix of urban and rural settings. The aim is to trial and validate the neighbourhood model’s impact across differing community needs and demographic challenges before further nationwide rollout.
How Have Sector and Patient Groups Responded to This Development?
In addition to official statements from NHS England, the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and SLaM, sector leader opinions have been largely positive. However, there are also appeals for resources and clarity regarding integration with existing services.
Dr Lade Smith CBE, again writing for RCPsych, stated:
“Local areas must be supported to continue to implement neighbourhood approaches in a way that meets their population’s needs and consistently drives up standards. This will require additional investment in community mental healthcare. We look forward to seeing the results of this extension of our approach and urge that there must be implementation of clinically led, evidence-based models of care that more effectively meet people’s needs”.
Rebecca Gray, of NHS Confederation, commented:
“This centre is a vital step towards delivering person-centred, joined-up and compassionate support for those experiencing mental health crisis, but further attention must be paid to funding and sustainability across the sector”.
What Other Reforms Are Included in the New Mental Health Agenda?
According to a sector-specific engagement reported by NHS Providers, the broader 10 Year Health Plan includes:
- Expanding mental health support teams in schools through Young Futures Hubs.
- Recruitment of 8,500 mental health staff nationwide.
- Introduction of 24/7 psychiatric teams in every A&E and creation of dedicated mental health emergency units.
- A focus on addressing inequalities in access to care, use of modern technology for self-referral and case management, and ensuring the most complex cases—including younger people in residential care—receive specialist support.
The editorial at NHS Providers further notes that these measures are designed to relieve pressure on inpatient and emergency hospital services, improve patient experiences and outcomes, and build more resilient communities through partnership working.
How Do These Changes Fit into the Future of NHS and the Government’s Mission?
The GOV.UK executive summary of the Fit for the Future 10 Year Health Plan confirms that these reforms form part of a broader governmental strategy to modernise health care, deliver technological and research-driven advances, and provide fit-for-purpose services that respond to the evolving needs of communities in England.
What Impact is Expected for Patients and Local Communities?
As highlighted by multiple sources including National Health Executive, Building Better Healthcare, and NHS England, the provision of round-the-clock, walk-in care for mental health promises:
- Faster, easier, and more personalised access to help.
- Stronger preventative action against escalating crises or acute incidents.
- Greater continuity and trust between patients and care teams.
- Direct involvement of local authority, voluntary, and faith groups for a more holistic approach to mental health recovery.
Claire Murdoch summarised:
“Whether someone needs help with their mental health, housing, or work, they’ll find help in their community, around the clock, and without the need for a referral”.
