UKCP CEO welcomes community mental health expansion but warns against service cuts

We welcome the government's announcement of expanded community mental health support, including plans to establish 100 community mental health centres across England and 59 dedicated mental health emergency departments.

Removing the need for a GP referral and providing walk-in support closer to home could remove important barriers to care. This would help people access support more easily and could help prevent them from reaching crisis point. We also welcome the ambition to bring mental health and wider community services together to meet people's needs.

However, we are deeply concerned by recent reports that nearly seven in 10 NHS trusts providing mental health services are planning to reduce or close services in 2026/27, with more than half expecting to cut clinical staff. These services provide crucial support to people who need mental health care and play a vital role in preventing individuals from reaching crisis point.

While the proposed expansion is a positive step, it must not come at the expense of existing provision. The government must ensure its plans are backed by protected, long-term funding so that existing services are protected and people can continue to access the support they need.

The success of the new centres and emergency departments will also depend on sustained investment in the workforce. The government must ensure that qualified psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors are integral to multidisciplinary teams. UKCP members represent a highly trained workforce ready to contribute.

People must be offered a varied choice of therapies, including access to appropriate longer-term psychotherapy for those with complex mental health needs.

We look forward to working with the government and NHS England and would welcome early engagement on workforce planning, professional standards and service design, so that these new services provide safe, equitable and person-centred care in every community.

Jon Levett
UKCP CEO