Publish date: 14 July 2025
On Friday 11 June, Sarah Olney, MP for Richmond Park, visited The Cassel Hospital in Richmond to engage with Trust clinicians and leadership on the findings of a pivotal new report: Improving Support for People with Complex Mental Health Difficulties, published by the Centre for Mental Health.
Ms Olney was joined by Chief Executive Maria O’Brien, and Leeanne McGee, Chief Operating Officer for Forensic and High Secure Services. Together, they toured the hospital’s inpatient and outreach services, met with nursing staff, and held a roundtable discussion with the Cassel leadership team.
The visit spotlighted The Cassel’s psychotherapeutic approach to treating those with overlapping diagnoses, such as personality disorders, eating disorders and substance use, who often fall through the cracks of conventional mental health services.
The Centre for Mental Health report highlights the high human and financial costs of long-term hospitalisation and advocates for community-based, psychotherapeutic support as a more effective alternative.
As a national Tier 4 specialist service, the Cassel’s work aligns with these recommendations, offering intensive inpatient and outreach programmes designed to support recovery and reintegration. The team shared insights into their evidence-based model, which has shown promising outcomes in reducing hospital admissions and improving quality of life.
Reflecting on the visit, Sarah Olney said she was “deeply impressed” by the Cassel’s commitment to person-centred care and its role in shaping future mental health policy. Of the Cassel’s work, she said, “It was a privilege to visit the Cassel Hospital and meet the dedicated team who are delivering truly transformative care for people with complex mental health needs. Their psychotherapeutic approach offers not only clinical insight but hope. It is clear this model has a crucial role to play in shaping future mental health provision. I’m grateful for the opportunity to see it in action."
The visit marked a meaningful step in bridging policy and practice, reinforcing the need for tailored, therapeutic pathways that meet the needs of those most often overlooked in mental health care.
