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Jess Brown-Fuller calls for a 24/7 Mental Health Emergency Department at St Richard’s Hospital
- 21 hours ago
- 2 min read
Jess Brown-Fuller MP has urged Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust to locate a new 24/7 Mental Health Emergency Department (MHED) at St Richard’s Hospital, arguing that Chichester residents are currently left without timely crisis support.
NHS England has recently approved plans for three MHEDs across Sussex, designed to provide 24/7 support for people experiencing a mental health crisis. The first MHED will open at Eastbourne District General Hospital, followed by a second at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.
A third site is being identified in either St Richard’s Hospital or Worthing General Hospital, to open in summer 2029.
In a letter to Dr Jane Padmore, Chief Executive of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Jess wrote:
“Residents, local organisations and frontline charities consistently tell me that when someone in our area reaches crisis, there is simply nowhere appropriate for them to turn.
“At present, the nearest crisis support services for people in Chichester are in Worthing (Staying Well) and Havant (Safe Haven). The result is a postcode lottery in which Chichester residents are left without access to timely, specialist crisis care.
“I believe locating a Mental Health Emergency Department (MHED) at St Richard’s would be vital to Chichester constituents and would address a clear gap in crisis support.”
Jess also emphasised that for many local residents, A&E remains the only available option during a mental health crisis, which she argued is “not designed for people in acute mental distress”.
The Liberal Democrats have long campaigned for improved mental health provision. Their proposals include reinstating the scrapped Mental Health Investment Standard, establishing a walk-in Young People’s Mental Health Hub in every community, and ensuring every primary and secondary school has a dedicated mental health professional, alongside a wider package of reforms to expand access to timely care.
