New mental health crisis assessment service opens at West Middlesex Hospital

Lakeside Mental Health Crisis Assessment Unit, Twickenham Road, London, TW7 6AF

The new facility will be better for mental health patients and relieve some of the pressure on A&E

A new mental health crisis assessment service has opened at West Middlesex Hospital.

Lakeside Mental Health Crisis Assessment Service, run by West London NHS Trust, will act as an Accident & Emergency for people needing urgent mental health treatment.

The new facility will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The pioneering new service has received more than £4 million investment and is expected to support thousands of people a year whilst relieving some of the pressure on A&E by reducing the number of patients experiencing mental health crisis who previously would have had no alternative but to go to A&E.

Lakeside mental health team

The goal is to provide early intervention when people are in a crisis, providing a therapeutic environment in a calmer setting than A&E and care from a team who are specialist mental health professionals.

At the opening of the Lakeside Mental Health Crisis Assessment Service, Sonya Clinch, Clinical Director for Acute Mental Health Services at West London NHS Trust said:

“The Lakeside Mental Health Crisis Assessment Service reflects our deep commitment to delivering high-quality, compassionate care in our local communities while also helping to ease pressure on A&E departments and other frontline services.

“It’s a vital step forward that aligns with the ambitions of the NHS’ 10 Year Plan to improve access to urgent mental health support.”

Dr Nick Hipkins with some of the team

Dr Nick Hipkins, Consultant Psychiatrist and Clinical lead for Lakeside MHCAS said:

“Our clinical approach is holistic and recovery-focused, aiming to provide timely, compassionate care that not only supports people in the moment but also helps prevent the escalation of mental illness.

The launch of Lakeside MHCAS is being delivered in two phases. The facility will be able to accommodate between four and six patients at a time, increasing to eight -12 patients as the service is extended.

Lakeside Mental Health Crisis Assessment Unit

Work is already underway to expand capacity and ensure the service can provide quality care to a greater number of people. Phase two is expected to be completed by Autumn 2026.

Referrals will be made through the A&E’s Liaison Psychiatry Team who will complete an initial assessment first.

As a first point of call current patients can contact their usual community mental health team or telephone Lakeside’s  24/7 single point of access line on 0800 328 4444.

Address: Lakeside Mental Health Unit, Twickenham Road, London, TW7 6AF.

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