Spotlight newsletter - 21 August 2026
First local mental health emergency department to open in Eastbourne
Plans are underway to establish the first mental health emergency department in Sussex, which will provide 24/7 support for people experiencing a mental health crisis, offering a therapeutic alternative to a traditional A&E.
Co-delivered by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Southdown, a not-for-profit support and housing provider, the new walk-in service will offer round-the-clock support from mental health professionals and peer support workers.
The new mental health emergency department will be located in part of the Department of Psychiatry run by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and located at Eastbourne District General Hospital (part of East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust).
Subject to funding approval from NHS England, work to convert part of the existing building into a 24/7 mental health emergency department is expected to begin later this year, with an anticipated opening date of late summer 2027. The existing mental health services at the Department of Psychiatry, which are delivered by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, are moving to the new Combe Valley Hospital in Bexhill-on-Sea.
Last year, NHS England announced plans to establish mental health emergency departments across the country to help relieve the pressure on the acute hospitals. In addition to Eastbourne, other locations in Surrey and Sussex will include East Surrey Hospital, the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, St Peter’s Hospital in Chertsey, and either Worthing or Chichester in West Sussex on the site of one of the acute hospitals.
NHS England has also approved the development of five community mental health centres across Surrey and Sussex, which are planned for 2028. The new community mental health centres, which are being rolled out across England, will bring together mental health and specialist teams under one roof, making it easier for people to get the right support before problems escalate.
Read more about this announcement.
ADHD pilot among local projects shortlisted for HSJ Awards 2026
A number of teams and organisations from across Surrey and Sussex have been recognised in the HSJ Awards 2026 shortlist, highlighting innovative work, outstanding leadership and collaborative approaches that are making a difference for patients, communities and staff.
Among them is ADHD Primary Care Connect, a partnership initiative delivered by Sussex Primary Care Provider Collaborative (PCPC), Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT) and NHS Surrey and Sussex Integrated Care Board (ICB) which aims to bring ADHD assessment and support closer to home.
The service is a neighbourhood-based pilot operating across Brighton & Hove, Crawley and Hastings, designed to provide care through local GP practice teams. Patients are assessed, treated and connected with community and wellbeing services depending on their individual needs.
Since launching, the service has received 2,440 referrals across the three pilot areas, and received highly positive patient feedback, demonstrating the level of need.
In recognition of the positive impact Primary Care Connect is having for patients across Sussex, HSJ has shortlisted the project in the Mental Health Innovation of the Year category, ahead of an awards ceremony later in the Autumn.
The HSJ awards have recognised excellence in healthcare for nearly 50 years and are independently judged by senior healthcare leaders from the NHS and beyond.
Read more about ADHD Primary Care Connect.
Get winter ready - flu jab bookings now open
The NHS is urging millions of people to book their flu jab as the health service starts winter preparations earlier than ever.
The national booking system is now open so that eligible people, including pregnant women and children, can pre-book their appointments for when flu vaccinations start on 1 September.
This decision follows a particularly busy summer where staff has seen record numbers of A&E attendances during back-to-back heatwaves.
Flu season usually peaks in December and January, so the NHS is starting vaccinations in autumn, to ensure those at risk are protected and fewer people are hospitalised.
Flu can cause significant issues for children, pregnant women, older adults and people with some long-term health conditions, including hospitalisation and, in certain cases, severe respiratory failure or even death.
Around 104,000 hospitalisations are estimated to have been avoided last year. Last winter, nearly 19 million people received their flu jab in England.
The jab is given in injectable form in the vast majority of cases, and a nasal spray is provided for most children.
Local NHS services will begin sending invites to the first cohort of people eligible - children and pregnant women - next month via their GP practice, NHS app or letter.
Eligible people will be able to get their flu vaccination from a variety of places in their local community, including their GP practices and participating high street pharmacies.
Other cohorts will begin receiving the jab from 1 October. These include those aged 65 years and over, all adults in a clinical risk group, and adults in care homes, carers and people in close contact with the immunocompromised and frontline healthcare workers.
This year’s cohort includes adults aged 75 years and over, residents in a care home for older adults, and individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed.
Find out more and book your flu jab today.
Look after your lungs - East Sussex events
Do you have a long-term lung or breathing condition, or would you like to find out more about your respiratory health? Come along to free events this autumn to learn practical ways to look after your lungs, stay well and keep active over winter.
People with lung conditions are more likely to experience flare-ups and infections during the colder months, but anyone can benefit from learning about how to keep their lungs healthy.
East Sussex County Council and the local NHS are hosting free events to help you understand your lung health, manage an existing condition and prepare for winter.
You'll be able to access one-to-one advice, practical tips, informative talks from respiratory experts, support from local and national organisations and free lung function tests.
Come along if you're living with a lung condition, supporting someone who is, or simply want to learn more about your lung health.
The events are free to attend, open to all adults in East Sussex, and no need to book.
Where and when:
- Crowborough: Friday 11 September 2026, 10am - 1.30pm, Crowborough Community Centre (Pine Grove, Crowborough, TN6 1FE)
- Eastbourne: Tuesday 15 September 2026, 12pm - 3.30pm, Sovereign Harbour Community Centre (Easter Island Place, Eastbourne, BN23 6JH)
- Peacehaven: Friday 18 September 2026, 10am - 1.30pm, The Joff Community Centre (Roderick Avenue, Peacehaven, BN10 8BL)
- Hastings: Tuesday 22 September 2026, 10am - 1.30pm, Broomgrove Community Hub (85 Chiltern Drive, Hastings, TN34 3PY)
Find out more about the events.
Have your say on employment rights for unpaid carers
The government is seeking views on the employment rights that are available to people with unpaid caring responsibilities and parents who have a seriously ill child.
The consultation provides an important opportunity to influence future support for the millions of people balancing work with caring responsibilities.
For many people, caring is 24/7, with no breaks or respite. It is relentless, exhausting and often unpredictable. Being able to balance unpaid caring with work provides financial security, reduces burnout and anxiety, supports dignity as well as intellectual stimulation for unpaid carers.
The consultation began last month and runs until Tuesday, 1 September. Take part on the gov.uk website.
The Big Conversation on Care
The Big Conversation on Care is a chance for everyone in England to have their say on the future of adult social care.
Adult social care affects millions of people across the country. It supports older people, disabled people and people with long-term health conditions with a wide range of everyday tasks, helping them to live independently and safely.
However, the reality is that adult social care is not working well enough for many people, and change is needed to ensure that those who need support can get it.
The Big Conversation is part of the work being undertaken by the Independent Commission on Adult Social Care, also known as the Casey Commission. This is being led by Baroness Louise Casey, who was asked by the Prime Minister to consider how adult social care should change to meet the needs of current and future generations, and to make recommendations for reform.
You can find out more online about the different ways to take part.
A pawsitive presence in mental health services
And to end on a light and fluffy note…we have loved seeing local therapy dogs being celebrated for their impact across mental health services as part of International Assistance Dog Week.
Pictured above are:
- Hettie, a six-year-old Pets As Therapy (PAT) dog, who has been supporting young people, families and staff at the Aldrington Centre in Hove since qualifying as a therapy dog at just 18 months old. Unlike many therapy dogs who visit healthcare settings for short periods, Hettie is embedded within the CAMHS team and regularly attends art psychotherapy sessions.
- Stanley, a two-year-old Imperial Shih Tzu, who supports people using the Community Learning Disability Service, helping to reduce anxiety and even build confidence in those who are nervous around dogs.
- Ella, a six-year-old Labrador and Golden Retriever cross and registered therapy dog with Therapy Dogs Nationwide, who is a much-loved visitor to Heathfield Ward in Eastbourne.
- Brandy and Gizmo who bring comfort and connection to patients at Langley Green Hospital in Crawley.
- Buddy, a five-year-old Golden Retriever, who helps visitors to the Wellbeing Service settle into their therapy sessions in Brighton and Hove.
- Flora, an English Pointer and registered PAT dog, who has spent more than four years providing reassurance and support to service users in our community mental health teams and everyone lucky enough to meet her.
Read more about the role of therapy dogs and their handlers.
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