People across the South West are set to benefit from faster mental health support closer to home under plans to create new NHS community centres and dedicated emergency departments.

The region is expected to receive seven new Mental Health Neighbourhood Centres and nine Mental Health Emergency Department schemes over the first two years of the programme, subject to approvals.

The centres will bring mental health and specialist teams together under one roof, working alongside GPs, councils, voluntary organisations and other services to help people access support before their problems reach crisis point.

Some will be based in new facilities, while others could operate from community locations such as libraries and high street premises.

In Devon, one new Mental Health Neighbourhood Centre and three Mental Health Emergency Department schemes are planned.

A dedicated emergency department is also planned for Plymouth, with separate provision for adults and children and young people. Another is proposed at Wonford House Hospital in Exeter.

Emergency departments will provide same-day specialist support for people experiencing a mental health crisis who are medically fit and do not need treatment in A&E.

They will offer a calmer setting for assessment and treatment, with links to inpatient care, support at home and community services.

Other proposed sites across the South West include facilities in Cornwall, Bristol, Wiltshire, Somerset and Dorset.

South West Regional Director of Nursing Jill Crook said too many people were currently receiving mental health support only after reaching crisis point.

She said the new centres would help people get support "earlier and closer to home", while emergency departments would ensure those needing urgent help could be seen quickly by specialist teams.

The plans form part of a national programme to create up to 100 Mental Health Neighbourhood Centres and 55 Mental Health Emergency Departments across England.

The first facilities are expected to open from autumn 2026, with further sites opening from March 2027.

The programme is backed by more than £327 million in mental health facilities funding over the next four years.