Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust | London

When COVID-19 hit the capital in early 2020, our staff identified the need for emergency mental health services for those suffering an acute crisis. The existing model of care was not working because people suffering an acute mental health episode were often reluctant to attend emergency departments (EDs) for fear of contracting COVID-19.

The 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Assessment Service (MHCAS) based at St Pancras Hospital has transformed emergency care for people in mental health crisis, by offering them a specialist emergency service away from EDs, where their needs are more quickly and effectively met by dedicated teams. On 23 March 2020 and as the UK went into lockdown, our brand-new MHCAS opened its doors to help treat the first patients – just seven days after getting approval for the service to go ahead

Overall, we have seen an 11.8% reduction in the last year of people requiring inpatient mental health admissions as a result of the service, with nearly 70% of people rating it as either Very Good or Good. There have been nearly 10,000 referrals to the service since it first opened – many of whom would otherwise have attended a hospital ED.

Nominated by: Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB QC MP