Mental Health Street Triage service launched

The Trust and City of London Police have launched a ‘blue light’ initiative to ensure people in the City of London experiencing mental health crises have fast access to care.

The pilot Mental Health Street Triage (MHST) service consists of occupational therapists and social workers who travel with police officers to incidents where there is immediate danger to life flagged by the 999 control room - someone treating to self-harm or commit suicide, or where a third party has contacted the police or ambulance and expressed concern for someone.

The triage is designed to deliver fast and efficient access to care and avoid unnecessary ‘Section 136 detentions in a place of safety under the Mental Health Act - usually a specialist suite in a hospital setting where patients are formally assessed by mental health professionals. The section is used when individuals require care or control of their own safety and is used as a last resort by officers.

The MHST team are helping reduce detentions by assessing individuals and identifying appropriate care or support.

The service additionally aims to reduce the amount of time police officers, and other emergency services, spend managing mental health situations and to reduce inappropriate admissions to hospital emergency departments.

The team is based at Bishopsgate Police Station and operate from 5pm-3am Wednesday to Sunday. Outside these hours, the response to a mental health crisis will follow the usual processes already in place.

Dean Henderson, borough director for City & Hackney Services, said: “Our goal is to help vulnerable individuals feel calm, safe and reduce the number of people in crisis needing to be taken to places of safety for assessment.

“Early indications are that the Street Triage Scheme is doing just that.

“This is a better outcome for the people dealt with and a better use of police and NHS resources.”

Sergeant Mark Montgomery, who is leading the trial on behalf of the City of London Police, said: “Street triage is a proven tool for stronger partnership understanding and working which provides the best service to our community and most importantly, to the person in need of care.

“Our plan is to use street triage to create a better understanding of mental health for officers and enable them to have the ability to seek specialist advice so better judgements can be made on the street about patient care.

“This is a great opportunity for establishing a solid partnership base between us and East London NHS Foundation Trust which we can grow and expand on, more importantly it provides officers with advice and assistance in making decisions about a person’s vulnerability and welfare.

“This partnership will enhance and provide the best possible service available to those in crisis.”