New mental health centres planned in Greater Manchester

New mental health emergency departments and community hubs are set to open in Greater Manchester as part of a major national rollout across England.

The plan includes up to 159 new sites across the country, with 10 new mental health centres and seven mental health emergency departments to be delivered in the North West.

Dr Michael Gregory, regional medical director for NHS England in the North West, said: “Too many people in the North West are only getting mental health support when they reach crisis point, after struggling for too long to get the help they need.

“These new community mental health centres will help people across Cheshire & Merseyside, Greater Manchester, and Lancashire & South Cumbria 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, the new mental health emergency department schemes will help make sure they are seen quickly by specialist teams in the right setting.

“This is an important step towards preventing more people from reaching crisis, cutting waits for care and building an NHS that is fit for the future.”

Backed by £343 million, the scheme represents the largest overhaul of mental health services in a generation.

Greater Manchester will receive three new mental health neighbourhood centres and three specialist emergency department schemes.

In neighbouring Cheshire and Merseyside, four neighbourhood centres and three emergency department schemes will be created, while Lancashire and South Cumbria will gain three centres and one emergency facility.

The new neighbourhood hubs will offer walk-in support without a referral or long waiting times, bringing together mental health teams, GPs, councils, the voluntary sector, and families under one roof.

By providing earlier intervention and integrated care, the centres aim to prevent people from reaching a crisis point.

The first facilities are set to open from autumn this year, with further facilities following from March 2027.

Some will be newly built, while others will be based in existing community spaces such as libraries and banks.

All will be designed as welcoming, non-clinical environments at the heart of the communities they serve.

New mental health emergency departments will offer same-day, specialist support for people in crisis who do not require A&E treatment.

The expansion will more than double the number of dedicated mental health emergency departments in England, bringing the total to 82.