New mental health community support facility in Sheffield 'reducing pressures on A & E'
It's been open for around 4 months now
A new mental health centre in the Gleadless & Heeley area of Sheffield is aiming to 'reduce pressures' on A & E services.
The new community 'walk-in' facility has been open since April - & is 1 of 6 NHS pilot schemes across England.
Dr Suchitra Sabari Girivasan is the medical director at the service:
"We are at a place currently where community members can walk into the service if they have any needs.
"These needs can be anything to do with mental health, housing, drug & alcohol issues, debt, then they can come in here to ask for advice & support.
"We do look after people who in the past would've ended up in hospital.
"They're currently being looked after in the community, and what that means is they're trust in mental health professionals is better.
"They know that we help them to stay with their communities, which has a positive impact.
"It's easing pressure on emergency departments in hospital.
"What that means is that when somebody needs hospital, they are definitely able to find a bed for them closer to their community.
"We also have 24/7 support and crisis beds.
"If somebody is going through some kind of crisis, support is available before the crisis escalates, so we avoid them ending up in a hospital setting and can keep these people in their own community."
You can find out more about this service on their website below: