A mental health assessment centre, which was opened during the pandemic to help quickly assess people when they turn up to A&E, has closed after not being utilised efficiently.

Opened at the Royal Blackburn Hospital in 2021, the Mental Health Urgent Assessment Centres were set up to create an alternative environment for service users requiring mental health support.

However, since the pandemic the Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust said these centres have not been used due to a strict criterion which needs to be met to move service users from A&E to the mental health assessment centre.

A mum who brought her son to use the service was disappointed to see that it wasn’t open.

She said: “I think it is absolute rubbish that it isn’t open. There are a number of people who need to be referred from A&E to that unit and it doesn’t exist.”

East Lancashire Hospital Trusts and Lancashire and South Cumbria Foundation Trust collaborated on the £800,000 unit based next to the emergency department at the Royal Blackburn Hospital in 2021.

Emma McGuigan, chief operating officer for Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust said: “Following engagement with our mental health and acute colleagues, the decision was taken to close these facilities in May 2024.

“Colleagues who provide mental health assessments in A&E continue to do so with no change to their roles and responsibilities.

“Crucially there have been no changes to patient care. Future uses for the Mental Health Urgent Assessment Centre estates are being developed - intended for other teams or services that would enhance A&E support.”

The unit was one of several mental health urgent assessment centres being created across Lancashire and South Cumbria and complemented the sites at Royal Preston Hospital, Blackpool Teaching Hospital and the Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

A crisis line which was launched in tandem with the units and still runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Those in need of support can get in touch calling 0800 9530110 where they will receive a mental health assessment and referral to services.