The new Barnsley Street neighbourhood centre launched by government care minister Stephen Kinnock is the first of just six pilot schemes in the country by the NHS to help people with mental health needs in their own neighbourhoods.
It has been set up through Tower Hamlets Mental Health Alliance.
“Timely support close to home can be the difference between recovery and crisis,” the alliance’s Cassandra Geisel said.
“The most effective treatment is with support for housing, finding jobs and help in building social connections.
“These factors can be powerful in preventing relapse and helping recovery — but can make things worse when they’re absent.”
The minister was taken on a tour of the centre by consultant psychiatrist Sheraz Ahmad and East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT) chief executive Lorraine Sunduza.
They showed him how the 24/7 ‘one-stop-shop’ aims to prevent vulnerable people needing hospital treatment or having to go to A&E.
The centre is for anyone registered at five GP practices — Bethnal Green Health Centre, the Mission Practice, Suttons Wharf Health Centre, Strouts Place Medical Centre and XX Place Health Centre.
It has drop-in sessions with psychiatrists, nurses, occupational therapists, psychologists and social workers.
No referrals are needed. People registered with the five practices can drop in any time from 8am to 8pm.
But staff are also there 24 hours a day for anyone needing to stay overnight. It has six beds if needed.
