New mental health centre could open in town

A new mental health centre is set to open which will help people receive support "when and where they need it."

A Neighbourhood Mental Health Centre (NMHC) could open in Swindon by the end of 2027, subject to any planning requirements.

The centre is expected to feature a walk-in service, short-term hospitality beds for stays of one to four nights and 24 hours a day crisis support for people aged 18 and above.

Brian Dow, deputy chief executive at the charity Rethink Mental Illness, said the facilities are "a vital step" to help people to access support earlier.

"Everyone should be able to access mental health support in their local community, when and where they need it," he added.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, other services at the centre are expected to include digital and phone support, planned clinical care, and help with housing, employment, and welfare.

NMHCs form part of a national drive led by NHS England to bolster the country's mental health support services and provide open-access, non-clinical mental health support for adults without referral requirements.

When plans for the NMHCs were first launched, health and social care secretary Yvette Cooper said they would "help people get support earlier and closer to home".

"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," she added.

A document from Swindon Borough Council outlining the plans and entitled 'Access to Mental Health Services', said while the town is performing well in several areas, such as access to children's mental health support and reducing out-of-area placements, challenges remain in certain areas.

The areas include discharge from inpatient mental health beds and dementia diagnosis rates, which the council said remained a focus of ongoing work.

The plans for the centre will be discussed at a Swindon Borough Council meeting on 4 November.

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