A new mental health emergency department is being planned for St George's Hospital, following a £1.9 million investment in urgent mental health care for South West London. The facility is intended to provide a better experience for individuals experiencing mental health crises who currently face long waits in the general emergency department.
The proposal was discussed at a Wandsworth Council Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on Monday, September 21, 2026. Ms. Kate Slemick, Site CEO of St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, informed the committee that the new facility is in the early stages of development and is being considered as a potential location for the department.
This initiative aims to provide more appropriate care for individuals experiencing mental health crises, potentially reducing the time they spend in the emergency department while awaiting specialist mental health support. The new department will be staffed by specialist mental health teams from St George's Mental Health NHS Trust, who will provide the necessary interventions and support for patients to be discharged to the right place at the right time.
The development of the new department is in its very early days.
Over the coming months, teams will work with partners to agree how the service will operate and the resources required. The plans are being developed in collaboration with local NHS partners, including the South West London Integrated Care Board and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust.
The new department is expected to alleviate some of the pressure on the general emergency department by offering a more suitable environment for those in mental health distress, thereby improving overall patient flow and waiting times within St George's Hospital.
Further details on the meeting can be found in the Agenda frontsheet and the Public reports pack.