CPFT awarded Government funding to provide greater access to mental health care
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust has been awarded Government funding to provide two new mental health emergency departments and two new community-based mental health centres.
The four new facilities are among 159 that will open across the country to give people greater access to mental health care.
The Government has said the £343 million national initiative is the biggest redesign of mental health services in a generation.
Steve Grange, Chief Executive of CPFT (inset), said: “We are really pleased that CPFT has been allocated funding to provide the new mental health emergency departments and community mental health centres.
"More importantly, I am delighted for the residents of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. We have teams that deliver amazing care in the community and on our inpatient wards. Indeed, our First Response Service, which was one of the first in the country to provide crisis care and support via the NHS 111 helpline, has now been replicated across the country.
“The new facilities will further improve access for those requiring support, either in mental health crisis or needing community care.”
The locations of the mental health emergency departments and community-based mental health centres are yet to be decided.
Steve added: “The new facilities will help us deliver the ambitions set out in the NHS 10-year plan - supporting people earlier, closer to home, and in settings designed specifically to meet their needs.
“The community mental health centres will improve access to support before people reach crisis point, while the mental health emergency departments will provide specialist assessment and care for people in mental health crisis.
“Now this capital funding has been confirmed by the Government we will work with our system partners, voluntary organisations, service users and local communities to develop detailed plans which we will share as soon as we are able.”
In making the announcement, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: "Nobody should be left to struggle with their mental health alone. But every day, thousands of people are waiting months for help, then finding the only door open to them is a busy A&E.
"These new centres will be a lifeline for so many. They will bring NHS services closer to home, making it easier to get support before problems get worse, and ensuring those in crisis get the right care in the right place.
"On the steps of Downing Street, I said we would build a country that acts sooner when people need help. Today is just the start of making that a reality.”
CPFT provides community physical health services for older people and adults with long-term conditions, mental health services, children’s community services, social care and learning disability services. The Trust is also renowned for its research and development work and, in June 2025, was awarded Teaching Partner status by the University of Cambridge.
ENDS
For more information contact:
Andy Burrows, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
Deputy Head of Communications
E communications@cpft.nhs.uk