Mental Health Services
Councils are addressing rising demand and funding pressures for mental health services, while implementing new strategies and facilities.
Councils are currently addressing significant financial pressures and rising demand for mental health services, with Hillingdon Council facing a projected £6.5 million overspend for 2025/26, as reviewed in March 2026. Meanwhile, Redbridge's services are experiencing funding gaps and workforce shortages, as discussed in February 2026. Efforts to improve services include Enfield's new 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Assessment Service, operational from March 2026, and Richmond upon Thames' new strategy to tackle racial inequality in mental health care, also reported in March 2026.
Other councils are reviewing and reconfiguring services; Lewisham Council extended a contract for its Wellbeing Hub for 12 months in January 2026, pending a review of voluntary sector provision. Kensington and Chelsea Council's Adult Social Care & Health Select Committee is monitoring service reconfiguration as part of its 2025/2026 work programme. Waltham Forest Council approved a five-year agreement with North East London Foundation Trust for integrated services, commencing in February 2026.
The Redbridge Health and Care Scrutiny Committee discussed North East London Foundation Trust's mental health services in September 2026. The Hackney Adults Health and Integration Scrutiny Commission also met in September 2026 to review safeguarding and digital health strategies. These discussions reflect ongoing efforts to manage and improve mental health provision across boroughs.
Key facts
- Hillingdon Council faces a projected overspend of £6.5 million in health and social care for the 2025/26 financial year. Source
- Enfield's new 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Assessment Service (MCAS) at Chase Farm aims to provide an alternative to emergency departments. Source
- Richmond upon Thames' mental health strategy aims to tackle racial inequality and reduce the mortality gap for individuals with severe mental illness. Source
- Redbridge's mental health services are facing funding gaps and a scarcity of skilled professionals. Source
- Lewisham Council approved a 12-month contract extension for the Lewisham Wellbeing Hub in January 2026. Source
About this summary
This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.