Involved process

Kieran Moorhead, a spokesman for mental health and addiction advocacy group Changing Minds, said properly assessing patients in line with the Mental Health Act was an involved process, and required time and more than one medical opinion.

A slower process through emergency departments could avoid mistakes, and the involvement of distressed family members or the police often complicated cases, he said.

Changing Minds would like to see research into the experiences and needs of patients with mental health issues, not just the time taken.

‘‘People have told us of both positive and negative experiences at emergency departments,’’ Moorhead said.

‘‘Just because they’re there a long time, that doesn’t mean it is negative if they are being assessed, cared for by staff, and listened to. It is good they are finally being responded to.’’

Mental health patients did not necessarily need more hospital beds and community-based care was often preferable, he said.

Moorhead supported the call for a calm atmosphere for patients with mental health issues, and said emergency departments could take ideas from psychiatric inpatient departments. Having staff with mental health training in emergency departments at all times was also essential, he said.