Officers stuck in ED: union

POLICE officers are being stretched to their limits dealing with call-outs to assist people living with mental illness, the police union says.

Police Association of Tasmania acting president Gavin Cashion said the responsibility of controlling mental health patients is often falling on cops who can’t cope.

“In recent weeks I have been inundated with stories of mental health incidents that our members are dealing with on a daily and nightly basis,” he said.

“When these issues are combined with alcohol and drugs, the problems grow exponentially.”

Mr Cashion, who has been policing for 20 years, said police officers were desperate for a solution that would get them out of hospitals and back to their other duties.

“Tasmania Police are not trained mental health professionals and the constant use of our members as minders, puts both the individual and our members at risk,” he said.

“On any given day or night, police take people into protective custody and convey them to one of the state’s hospitals, where we have no option but to sit and watch over a person for up to four hours, sometimes with little or no assistance within those emergency departments.”

“The obvious solution is that when police officers take these distressed people to emergency departments, they are passed over to medical personnel or hospital security and the police officers, who play no part in their treatment, can return to police duties.”

Mr Cashion said the State Government should also consider establishing dedicated crisis hubs to treat mentally ill and ice-affected patients away from mainstream emergency wards, as is done in Victoria.

Opposition spokeswoman for health Sarah Lovell said some mental health patients were often trapped in emergency wards for days waiting for an available bed.

“It should not be expected of police to spend prolonged periods of time in emergency departments — and this high pressure environment is the least desirable place for people suffering mental ill health who may be at crisis point,” said Ms Lovell, pointing a finger at the State Government.

A State Government spokeswoman said discussions between Tasmania Police, Ambulance Tasmania and the Tasmanian Health Service about the issue were ongoing.

Dealing with mental health crises hurts patients and police, pages 32-33

chanel. kinniburgh@ news .com.au