Shaping the Future of Crisis Care in Mental Health
About this Event
The event will provide a confidential forum for leaders to step away from day-to-day operational pressures and reflect on what is needed to deliver safe, resilient and human-centred urgent access services at scale. Discussions will focus on workforce sustainability, service continuity, quality and assurance, and the practical role of modern digital and AI-enabled tools in supporting clinicians and call handlers.
Attendees will hear from thought leaders in the mental health and health policy space, including contributors from The King's Fund, offering a system-level perspective on urgent mental health access, workforce pressures and what "good" looks like for crisis services from a leadership and governance standpoint.
The day will also include sessions with representatives from NHS mental health trusts and emergency services, sharing learning from real-world deployment within mental health crisis care, exploring how changes to access and supporting technology led to operational efficiency. The focus will be on operational learning and outcomes rather than products or procurement.
Agenda
🕑: 09:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Arrival and Networking / Teas & Coffee served
🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Info: Athina Lockyer, Health Innovation KSS
Chair’s introduction: framing the day, tone and shared intent, work to date from Health Innovation KSS in this space and the Network
🕑: 10:15 AM - 10:45 AM
System Pressures and What “Good” Looks Like
Info: Speaker: Dr Helen Gilburt - Fellow in Health Policy, The Kings Fund
🕑: 10:45 AM - 11:15 AM
Operational Learning: Transforming Crisis Access
Info: Speaker: Devon Partnership NHS Trust
Case study: How a real-world deployment reduced call abandonment rates by 30% and enabled a 20% increase in overall calls answered, improving both staff experience and patient safety
🕑: 11:15 AM - 11:45 AM
Networking Break
🕑: 11:45 AM - 12:30 PM
What Technology Can (and Can’t) Do for Crisis Services
Info: Speaker: Content Guru (storm)
A capability-led session exploring what modern platforms enable for SPA, crisis lines and 24/7 services. Topics: clinical safety, AI support, reliability
🕑: 12:30 PM - 01:15 PM
Lunch
🕑: 01:15 PM - 02:00 PM
Panel: Improving Urgent Access Across the System
Info: Led by: Dr.Reggie Sangha. Panellists: Sussex Partnership NHS FT, West London NHS FT, North Staffordshire NHS FT, Kent Police and Combat Stress Clinical Director.
A practical panel discussion on what different Trusts have done to improve crisis access — from redesigning SPA models to enhancing digital pathways — followed by open Q&A with the room.
🕑: 02:00 PM - 02:20 PM
Mental Health, Safeguarding and Public Safety: A Policing Perspective
Info: Speaker: Matthew Scott, Police and Crime Commissioner for Kent and APCC National Lead for Mental Health
How frontline police experience the intersection of mental health crisis, risk, and communication. Insights on joint working, call demand, and protecting those at risk
🕑: 02:20 PM - 02:40 PM
Joint Working Across the Pathway
Info: Speakers: SECAMB, Sussex Police and Sussex Partnership. The intersection of services across the pathway to explore joint working, competing demands and protecting those at risk.
🕑: 02:40 PM - 02:55 PM
What Needs to Change?
Info: Facilitated by:Becca Randell. Open floor discussion.
🕑: 02:55 PM - 03:00 PM
Chair's closing remarks
Info: Athina Lockyer to reflect on key themes from the day and close.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 0.00
