It was recently reported that Sir Jim MacKey, the Interim Chief Executive of NHS England, stated in an interview that Mental Health Accident and Emergency Units are 'not far away'.

As a leading third sector provider of crisis alternative services, including provisions located on hospital grounds, Mental Health Matters are now calling on this model to be considered at a national level.

On behalf of Mental Health Matters, Tracey Bell, Director of Quality and Operations, responded:

"People experiencing a mental health crisis should always be at the heart of decision-making.

Through our work across the South of England, we know that alternative services, such as safe havens, can have a life-changing impact for people in crisis.

Our co-located safe havens, based on hospital premises, can help ease the pressures placed upon A&E departments across the country, and we believe that this best practice should be explored nationally to enable thousands more to receive support in the most appropriate setting.

That's why Mental Health Matters are taking this model to the NHS Confederation Expo in June; to highlight what we see as the next step in non-clinical crisis provision with a person-centred approach."

Mental Health Matters will be delivering a session on the co-located crisis havens at the NHS Confederation Expo on the 11^th June. The details are included below:

Co-located mental health crisis havens: the next steps in crisis alternatives

11 Jun 2025

12:00 - 12:45

Charter 8, Manchester Central Complex

Link is here.