Mental health services to expand after £2m funding

August 5, 2026 - 04:39

An NHS trust covering parts of Surrey and Hampshire has announced a major expansion of its mental health services, following a funding injection of two million pounds. The money will be used to increase access to specialist psychological therapies and crisis support, with officials citing a steady rise in demand over the past year.

The trust, which runs community and hospital-based care across the region, says the extra funding will allow it to hire more trained therapists and reduce waiting times for adults and young people seeking help. It will also fund new outreach teams that can visit patients at home, rather than requiring them to attend clinics, which has been a barrier for some.

Local health leaders said the decision comes after a noticeable increase in referrals, particularly for anxiety, depression, and trauma-related conditions. They added that the pandemic had a lasting effect on many people's mental wellbeing, and the need for support has not returned to pre-2020 levels.

The investment will also support a dedicated service for new and expectant mothers, as well as expanding online therapy options for those who prefer remote sessions. A spokesperson for the trust said the goal is to make help available earlier, before problems escalate into crisis.

Patient groups have welcomed the move, though some have cautioned that funding alone will not solve the shortage of mental health professionals across the country. They hope the new roles will be filled quickly and that the service will remain sustainable beyond the initial funding period.

The trust expects the first new services to be running within three months, with a full rollout by next spring.