Police and NHS partnership sets strong example of joined-up mental health response

A collaborative approach between Police Scotland’s Lanarkshire (Q) Division and NHS Lanarkshire to enable 24/7 triage with a psychiatric liaison nurse (PLN) saw potential police attendances at emergency departments reduced by more than 80 per cent.

Chief Superintendent Stevie Dolan, Lanarkshire divisional commander, said: “We are grateful to colleagues at NHS Lanarkshire who have made this triage service available.

“It means that those who understandably turn to the police can be put in touch with experts who can give them the help they need and deserve.

“NHS Lanarkshire’s commitment and our closer working with health colleagues has had a massive impact on reducing our attendance at hospital emergency departments – meaning officers are able to tackle threat, harm and risk and prevent crime.”

NHS Lanarkshire’s service manager for Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Suzie Cochrane said: “The investment in this approach is delivering better care for patients and reducing demand on emergency departments. We are grateful to Police Scotland for their partnership.”

In 2023, the Community Triage Service in Lanarkshire was used on almost 2,000 occasions. This allowed patients to be triaged over the phone and remain at home or access an appointment for a mental health assessment within an hour.

Importantly, in the vast majority of calls officers did not attend emergency departments, with potential officer attendance reduced by more than 80 per cent.

The work was highlighted during a Scottish Police Authority (SPA) visit to Motherwell police station earlier this week as part of work to ensure people get the compassion, help and support they need and deserve from those best able to provide it.

Police Scotland’s Chief Constable Jo Farrell has said policing’s involvement in mental health incidents and supporting vulnerable people is beyond where policing should be and has established a mental health taskforce to coordinate work to better balance policing’s involvement.

Chief Superintendent Matt Paden is leading the taskforce and said the work between officers and health colleagues in Lanarkshire was an example of how better outcomes and efficiency can be achieved.

Chief Supt Paden said: “There are examples of strong local relationships across Scotland and the work in Lanarkshire underlines what can be achieved through collaboration.

“One size doesn’t fit all, however many of the principles demonstrated by this work could be taken forward in other areas and we are providing guidance and support for colleagues to help them to further develop local arrangements.

“This includes making a guide of Mental Health Index available to officers on their mobile devices to help them ensure people get the help they need and deserve.”

SPA chair Martyn Evans said: “Police Scotland is increasingly providing support to people experiencing mental health distress, both in responding to calls for service and by safeguarding people in its care. This has been a concern for the Authority.

“Meeting this need is testing the capacity and capability of our hard working police officers and preventing those in need from getting the support and professional interventions they need.

“The approach in Lanarkshire highlights how effective collaboration between the police and NHS can lead to better outcomes for everyone. I hope the principles can continue to grow and be embedded in other areas.”

Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “This is a good example of how police officers and mental health professionals can work together to ensure people suffering from mental ill health get the right help in the right place at the right time.

“As well as benefitting the individuals who are in need, this is reducing unnecessary demand on officers. I have seen first-hand how the community triage system works in Lanarkshire and I would like to thank all those involved for their continued efforts to support those in need.

“The roll-out of the Mental Health Index, developed by the Mental Health Unscheduled Care Network, which includes Police Scotland, will support collaborative working between health boards and Police Scotland across the country.”