Police make faster mental health referrals

The first scheme of its kind in the country allowing front line police officers to refer people they come into contact with directly to mental health services has been launched across Devon and Cornwall.

As well as immediate referral for people police suspect are unwell, officers can also quickly get advice from mental health professionals.

The integrated police mental health service has been part funded by the Office of the Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner.

The new service brings together three schemes – liaison and diversion, street triage and neighbourhood – into a force-wide service.

The aim is to reduce demand on the police force and provide mentally unwell people with the help they need earlier than is currently possible.

Devon and Cornwall Police estimates that 40% of demand is related to substance misuse, people suffering from mental ill health, those with learning disabilities or other psychosocial vulnerabilities.

A two-year pilot of the neighbourhood scheme in Cornwall led to a 33% reduction in this demand and an eight-week test in North Devon led to 49 referrals, with 12 of those people referred not previously known to medical professionals. Two were so ill that they were immediately hospitalised.

The scheme has been led by Cornwall-based Chief Inspector Mark Bolt, who was frustrated by the fact that officers could only recommend medical help those who they came into contact after they had committed a crime.

The service involves working in partnership with NHS England and primary care trusts.

Chief Insp Bolt said: “This scheme allows for the police to get help for individuals whose behaviour has meant that the police have become involved either because there is a concern for the welfare or that their behaviour is impacting on the lives of others.

“It allows for us to get advice and help from our NHS colleagues and provides an opportunity to get support for the individual before their behaviour reaches crisis point.

“It is all about early intervention to prevent more serious harm later on.”

Police and Crime Commis- sioner Alison Hernandez, whose office has provided £150,000 of funding for the service and is administering its financing, welcomed its imminent launch.

“This is a great example of spending a pound now to save several later,” she said.

“We should not allow problems caused by mental illness to escalate to the point where additional harm is caused. The results of the pilots are very encouraging.

“It’s about providing the right care for people at the right time.”

Local Democracy Reporter ‘It’s about providing the right care at the right time’

Alison Hernandez