A specialist response team of paramedics has been launched in a bid to handle the growing demand for mental health services across London, Frankie Hills…
The new team have given specialist mental health training are now being deployed across the capital to the most urgent and severe reports of mental health crises, including patients at risk of suicide.
The London Ambulance Service (LAS) says it is seeing increased pressure on services due to a growing number of people suffering mental health difficulties or crises. The service attended 99,287 mental health related calls in the 12-months leading up to the end of January 2026.
The new team is comprised of four workers who have additional skills and training, alongside significant experience as paramedics.
This means they can provide an in-depth assessment of patients in crisis, and are more able to consider the patients’ full picture; including issues like substance abuse, trauma or physical illnesses.
It is the latest change in a decade of work increasing the services’ mental health expertise. There are now experienced nurses, social workers and occupational therapists working in the ambulance services control room and mental health joint response cars.
Joint response cars have been highlighted by the service as a particular success. Their teams see paramedics paired with a mental health practitioner. Since 2020 these teams have visited more than 39,000 patients in mental health crisis, with only 14 per cent being taken to an emergency department as a result, aiming to keep ambulances free for other life-threatening emergencies. Instead, some of these patients are being supported at home or through other services.
Carly Lynch, Consultant Nurse for Mental Health at London Ambulance Service, said: “The number of Londoners experiencing a mental health crisis has significantly increased and their needs can be incredibly complex.
“I’m pleased that our clinicians are developing even more specialist skills to care for our patients in crisis. This means we can provide a much more tailored response to patients with acute mental health conditions.
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“Working in partnership with universities like City and St George’s, we’re ensuring that our crews have the breadth of skills and knowledge to provide the best care for the nine million people of London. Our crews are always here for them.”
Individuals with severe mental illness have a life expectancy 15 to 20 years shorter than the general population and are more likely to have a physical health condition.
The new specialist medics will also spend time in the Service’s 999 control room in Waterloo assessing mental health calls to decide which patients might need the life-saving care of one of their colleagues.
LAS Paramedics Kevin Jones and Charlotte Benson are among the clinicians training for this new role. Kevin said: “Developing advanced skills in mental health will allow me to care for people with both physical and mental health needs during times of crisis across London.
“Mental health is something I’ve been passionate about since becoming a paramedic, and I find the work genuinely rewarding.
“It’s important to involve patients in decisions about their care, advocate on their behalf, and link them into the right community services when they need ongoing support.”
