The NHS is to open a network of mental health accident and emergency units across England in an attempt to ease the pressure on overcrowded hospital A&Es and emergency services. Ten NHS trusts have opened dedicated units for mental health emergencies, the Times reported, and the scheme is expected to be expanded nationally as part of the 10-year NHS plan being published this summer by Labour. Sir James Mackey, the chief executive of NHS England, told the Times: “Crowded A&Es are not designed to treat people in mental health crisis. “As well as relieving pressure on our busy A&Es, mental health crisis assessment centres can speed up access to appropriate care, offering people the help they need much sooner, so they can stay out of hospital.”Last week, the Guardian reported that thousands of people with a mental health crisis are enduring waits of up to three days in A&E before they get a bed. A senior nurse in the south-west of England said: “Lots of people will just come and wait and be patient.
