Police leaders support call for mentally ill to get the right care and treatment

Key recommendations include:

• Amending the Mental Health Act 1983 so that police cells are no longer listed as a place of safety for those detained under section 136.
• NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups should provide more health-based places of safety, such as mental health units and acute hospital sites, so that the police are not forced to ‘fill the gap’. Back-up plans must be in place for periods of high demand.
• Transporting people experiencing a mental health crisis to hospital in an ambulance rather than a police car if an emergency vehicle is required.
• Committing funding to street triage schemes, whereby mental health nurses work alongside the police on patrol and in control rooms.

National spokesman for mental health and policing, Chief Constable Simon Cole said:

“A number of police officers and staff of different ranks and roles gave evidence to this inquiry. We are heartened by its findings and remain committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all people experiencing a mental health crisis.

“It’s good to see the work of Inspector Michael Brown and others within the police service recognised by the Committee.

“Individual forces are driving forward best practice in accordance with the Mental Health Crisis Care Concordat, which was launched a year ago this month. However, progress is immensely varied. In some places appropriate options for the treatment of people in mental health crisis are not being achieved and police cells are used in circumstances which fall short of ‘exceptional’.

“We will continue to work closely with partner agencies to deliver better outcomes for those suffering from mental ill health.”

The full report can be found here