Researchers at King’s Improvement Science have evaluated Mountsfield Recovery House in south-east London, a new model of care designed to support people experiencing a mental health crisis, providing a holistic alternative to hospital admission.
Mountsfield Recovery House is a collaboration between South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) and Waythrough charity, and opened in September 2023. People experiencing a mental health crisis* can stay for up to six nights, receiving support to help promote their recovery, and to regain belief in themselves and to keep well at home.
The King’s Improvement Science (KIS) team at King’s College London were commissioned by SLaM to evaluate the Recovery House. Their preliminary findings and recommendations have been published in a report, which draws on meetings, observations, site visits, discussions with stakeholders and a literature review. The full evaluation was not undertaken due to financial pressures.
Supporting community-based alternative to inpatient care
The researchers found that the Recovery House is a valuable, community-based alternative to inpatient mental health care, aligning with the UK’s recovery-oriented mental health policies.
“Our preliminary findings highlight the House’s strengths in promoting autonomy, fostering recovery and reducing reliance on hospital services. It provides a vital link between acute care and community support, potentially reducing pressure on inpatient services and supporting individuals in crisis,” said Dr Julie Williams, co-author and former KIS researcher.
The Recovery House is staffed by support workers, peer-support workers and service managers, and the researchers found that guests benefit from a structured, person-centred approach to support. This includes tailored interventions to develop coping skills, self-care routines and recovery. The researchers found that peer-support workers play a critical role in this process.
“Anecdotal feedback has shown that guests feel supported by compassionate staff, benefiting from tailored interventions, such as coping skills development, self-care routines and structured recovery plans,” said Maria Milenova, co-author and KIS researcher.
The research team worked closely with experts with lived experience of mental ill health, four of whom are co-authors on the report. One of them said after visiting the Recovery House:
“The foundation of any successful Recovery House is the commitment, dedication and mindset of the staff, which was transparently instant on my recent visit to the House. The pride, the energy, the passion and the ambition are so profoundly overwhelming” Expert with Lived Experience of Mental Ill Health
Another expert with lived experience of mental ill health said:
“I can only imagine how beneficial a resource like the Recovery House might have been when I first began struggling with my mental health. If such a safe and supportive space had existed, I truly believe it could have acted as a preventative intervention—a place where I could confront and understand my emotions, explore why I was feeling so depressed, or why my anxiety felt so overwhelming” Expert with Lived Experience of Mental Ill Health
Recommendations for improving the Recovery House
The researchers identified several areas for improving the service which could maximise its impact. Researchers found that a complex referral process can lead to delays in access to the House, particularly due to multiple approvals and miscommunication between teams.
They found that short stays may limit recovery for some guests, suggesting the need for integration with complementary services and extended follow-up support after discharge.
The researchers also found it difficult to assess who benefits most from the service, due to limited collection of demographic and outcome data on who is using the Recovery House. In addition, as the House currently serves Lewisham, Croydon, Lambeth and Southwark, it can be difficult for guests travelling from outside these boroughs to access the service. Improving data collection and evaluation would help to address these questions around equity and access.
Developing this evaluation for wider benefit
The KIS researchers highlight that a full evaluation is needed to assess the long-term impact, cost-effectiveness, and role of the Recovery House in reducing reliance on hospital inpatient care.
“A full evaluation would provide robust evidence to inform future improvements, ensuring that the Recovery House continues to meet the needs of its diverse population. By addressing gaps in data collection and exploring long-term outcomes, this would not only strengthen the service, but also offer insights for similar recovery-oriented initiatives across the NHS,” said KIS researcher Professor Claire Henderson, Clinical Professor of Public Mental Health, King’s College London.
Find out more
- Read the full report.
- This KIS report was prepared by Dr Julie Williams and Maria Milenova with support from Professor Claire Henderson, Dr Amy Ronaldson and our Experts by Experience Steering Group, made up of four patient representatives.
* The Recovery House does not admit people who are considered a risk to themselves or others, who are under any section of the Mental Health Act, who need a full-time carer due to their disability, are homeless and/or actively using alcohol or other substances.
