Enfield residents are set to benefit from significant improvements in mental health services, with new crisis facilities and enhanced community support now operational or set to launch soon.
The North London NHS Foundation Trust (NLFT) presented an update detailing a transformation programme that includes a new 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Assessment Service (MCAS) at Chase Farm. This facility aims to provide a direct alternative to emergency departments for individuals experiencing mental health crises. The MCAS offers specialist mental health assessment and support from trained nurses, doctors, and professionals, and individuals can walk in to access care when needed. Medically-cleared patients can also be transferred from Emergency Departments into the MCAS, ensuring they are supported in a purpose-designed environment.
A comprehensive communication and engagement approach is being undertaken with community partners, GP practices, emergency services, and wider stakeholders to promote the new MCAS to residents and health professionals.
Alongside the MCAS, a new Older Adults Home Treatment Team has been established at Chase Farm, offering intensive crisis care at home to prevent hospital admissions. The Trust also highlighted the implementation of a borough-wide dementia pathway and a standalone Memory Service. These services offer stepped care with annual review minimum
and alignment with voluntary sector and enhanced carer support.
These enhancements aim to provide more consistent and equitable access to post-diagnostic support,
earlier intervention to prevent avoidable crisis and admission,
and stronger carer support and clearer pathway navigation.
Andrew Wright, Chief of Staff for NLFT, and Gary Passaway, Managing Director, confirmed that NLFT's strategy remains aligned with national health plans. They reported strong progress in patient flow, with zero out-of-area placements and improved discharge processes, leading to more timely access to community-based care.
Members of the panel raised questions regarding waiting times for talking therapies. Officers confirmed that Enfield performs well compared to other North Central London boroughs, with waiting times now measured in weeks rather than months due to sustained improvement work. Enfield has historically demonstrated strong performance across talking therapy access.
Read more about the mental health services update in the Mental Health Services NLFT Update to Enfield Scrutiny Committee - 18.3.26.
Public reports pack 18th-Mar-2026 19.00 Healthy and Safe Communities Scrutiny Panel
Printed minutes 18th-Mar-2026 19.00 Healthy and Safe Communities Scrutiny Panel
