The government partially accepts this recommendation. While we agree that the design and future expansion of community based mental health centres must be informed by learning from the pilot programme and tailored to the needs of local communities, there are no current plans to extend the pilot phase beyond 12 months. Rapid learning is already being generated through NHS England’s national implementation team, drawing on real time intelligence from the pilot sites, local findings and continuous feedback from people with lived experience, families and staff. This learning is actively informing refinement of the service model. An independent evaluation will report after the 12-month period, providing an assessment of outcomes, experience and value for money once the pilots are fully operational. NHS England has confirmed the evaluation questions and metrics which will be used. Combining rapid, real-time learning with a formal evaluation will provide a robust evidence base to inform future decisions on duration, funding and wider rollout of community based mental health centres.