Eastbourne to get first emergency mental health department in Sussex
The first emergency mental health department in Sussex, which will provide 24/7 support for people experiencing a mental health crisis, will be located in Eastbourne.
The new walk-in service will offer round-the-clock support from mental health professionals and peer support workers.
It will be located at Eastbourne District General Hospital in the Department of Psychiatry, with a projected opening date of late summer 2027.
The plans have been co-delivered by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and not-for-profit support and housing provider Southdown, and work will begin later this year to convert part of the existing building, subject to funding approval from NHS England.
In addition to Eastbourne, other locations in Sussex will include Brighton, at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, and either Chichester or Worthing in West Sussex on the site of one of the acute hospitals.
A spokesperson for East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust said: “We welcome this investment in a dedicated mental health facility for patients who are in need of care urgently as a big step forward for patients being able to receive the right care in the right place.
“Not only will mental health patients gain quicker access to the specific support they need safely and securely, but this will also impact the effectiveness of services provided for patients in other parts of our care system.
“We know that when patients are not in the right place for their particular needs, everyone suffers. This investment to support patients with mental health issues in an area designed specifically for them represents a great opportunity for all NHS users in East Sussex.”
Dr Oliver Dale, Chief Medical Officer for Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This is a much-needed service to meeting the increasing mental health need in our communities.
“If someone is experiencing a mental health crisis, a busy, noisy A&E department can exacerbate feelings of agitation and distress.
“The new facility in Eastbourne will offer a calmer, more therapeutic environment where people can access specialist help from mental health professionals, without long waiting times.”
NHS England has also approved the development of three community mental health centres in Sussex, which are planned for 2028 and will bring together mental health and specialist teams under one roof.