Essex is embarking on a major expansion of its mental health crisis services with the creation of two new specialist units. The development marks a significant step forward in providing timely, appropriate care for adults experiencing acute psychological distress.
New Units to Provide Calm, Therapeutic Spaces
Construction work is now underway to establish two new Mental Health Urgent Care Units (MHUCUs) in the county. One will be located at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, and the other at Colchester Hospital. The units, which involve the redevelopment of existing buildings on both sites, are scheduled to open their doors in the summer of 2026.
These facilities are specifically designed to offer a calm and therapeutic environment, far removed from the often hectic and overwhelming atmosphere of traditional hospital accident and emergency departments. The core aim is to allow adults in a mental health crisis to receive rapid assessment, care, and support in a space better suited to their needs, including considerations for patients with neurodiversity.
Person-Focused Care to Ease System Pressure
Specialist clinical staff at the units will work closely with each individual to understand the triggers of their crisis. They will then ensure the person receives the right care in the best possible setting, whether that requires hospital admission or support at home via community mental health teams and other organisations.
Paul Scott, chief executive of the Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT), which is developing and will operate the units, highlighted their importance. "The units represent a meaningful investment in our mental health urgent care pathway," he said. "Providing a therapeutic space for assessment and intervention will improve the experience of people who come to us in acute distress." He added that the development will strengthen existing crisis support in Essex and help ease the considerable pressure on local emergency departments.
Building on a Successful Model
This expansion follows the successful launch of a similar Mental Health Urgent Care Department in Basildon in March 2023. While the Harlow and Colchester units will be smaller, they are expected to deliver comparable benefits.
Tom Abell, chief executive designate of the new Essex Integrated Care Board cluster, emphasised the growing demand for these services. "We know demand for mental health crisis care is rising," he stated. "These units will make a real difference by ensuring people across Essex can access timely, specialist support in calm, therapeutic spaces." He noted that the units will improve care during difficult moments for individuals while helping services keep pace with the needs of a growing population.
The introduction of these local units also means more patients can receive urgent care closer to home, enabling families and carers to be more involved in the support process. Patient feedback has strongly endorsed the value of such dedicated mental health urgent care pathways, which allow clinical teams to move away from a 'one size fits all' approach and provide truly person-focused care.
