Government confirms list of new 'mental health A&Es' set to open in North East
New NHS mental health emergency departments are set to open across the region08:04, 07 Aug 2026St Nicholas' Hospital in Gosforth is among services operated by the Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS. . .
New NHS mental health emergency departments are set to open across the region08:04, 07 Aug 2026St Nicholas' Hospital in Gosforth is among services operated by the Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust. (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)The Government has announced that there will be 59 new "mental health A&Es" across the UK - including in the North East at hospitals such as St Nicholas' inGosforth. This comes as part of what health bosses have called a £343 million roll-out of new provision, including 159NHSmental health centres in communities. In the North East, the new A&E units will be atLanchester Road Hospital inCounty Durham,St Nicholas' Hospitalin Gosforth, and an unspecified site inSunderland. The region's new mental health centres will be located in two yet-to-be announcedCounty Durhamlocations,Darlington,Newcastle, andSunderland. Health and Social Care Secretary Yvette 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. "This is how we can turn the tide on mental ill health - preventing more people from reaching crisis, cutting waits for care, and building an NHS which is there for everyone when they need it. "The Government said that some of the new community-based centres would be newly-built while others would be in common high street locations. Bosses added that the new A&E units would be "located with emergency departments and working closely with ambulance and police services" and would "provide a calm, therapeutic environment where people can be assessed quickly and connected to the right ongoing care". There are some existing services - so the new scheme will see that boosted to a total of 82. The first of the new facilities will open in the autumn, with more following in 2027. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: "Prime Minister Andy 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. On the steps of Downing Street, I said we would build a country that acts sooner when people need help. Today is just the start of making that a reality. "Dr Nick Broughton, the "National Priority Programme Director" for mental health added: "Across the country, NHS teams are already working to provide mental health support closer to where people live, alongside specialist care for those who need more urgent help. "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. "Blaydon andConsettMP Liz Twist, who chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Suicide and Self Harm Prevention, welcomed the move. TheLabourMP 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. ”“I held a regional suicide prevention conference in 2022, and it was clear that more needs to be done. Even last month I held a debate in the House on the need to give mental health parity of esteem with that of physical health. These announcements are a step in the right direction in ensuring that there is real support available for people that need it. ”“This is a sign of a Government that is taking the mental health crisis seriously and I am pleased that people will be able to benefit in gaining access to support. ”This is the full list of community mental health centres and mental health A&E units lined up for the wider North East and Yorkshire:Community mental health centresCounty Durham (2 sites)DarlingtonHartlepoolHullMiddlesbroughNewcastleNorth CumbriaNorth Yorkshire (4 sites)Redcar and ClevelandSheffieldSunderlandMental health emergency departmentsBarnsley District General HospitalLanchester Road Hospital, County DurhamLongley Centre, SheffieldMiranda House, HullNorth East LincolnshireRoseberry Park (formerly St Luke’s Hospital), MiddlesbroughSt James’s University Hospital, LeedsSt Nicholas Hospital, GosforthSunderlandWakefieldChronicleLive has created a dedicated WhatsApp community for breaking news and our biggest stories. You canjoin this WhatsApp community here. It will keep you up-to-date with news as it breaks and our top stories of the day sent directly to your phone. Article continues belowOur ChronicleLive Daily newsletter is free. You cansign up to receive it here. It will keep you up to date with all the latest breaking news and top stories from the North East.