Tri-service initiative takes mental health support into control room

A ‘control room triage’ has been set up in Avon and Somerset to support those with mental health problems. Experienced mental health professionals will be placed into the Avon and Somerset Constabulary communications centre to offer real-time advice and guidance to support police and fire service officers who have to respond to incidents relating to mental ill-health.

The tri-service initiative, which brings together the local police, fire and rescue service and NHS, is an extension of the area’s existing mental health street triage scheme.

The new service will link in with mental health colleagues working in services across Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Somerset and Bath and North East Somerset.

Avon and Somerset Constabulary Assistant Chief Constable Nikki Watson said they were “really pleased to be introducing this service”.

“We have already seen the success of working with partners to deliver our street triage service and the control room triage is another key development,” she said.

“For our call handlers and officers, having the on-site, immediate support of a qualified mental health nurse will ensure we can reduce demand and ensure faster, more appropriate help is administered to those in need.”

The service, operating at the constabulary’s headquarters in Portishead, has been launched in partnership with NHS North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Bristol and Bath and North East Somerset Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust and Avon Fire and Rescue Service.

Avon and Somerset police and crime commissioner Sue Mountstevens said: “Having trained mental health nurses based in the police communications centre will make a real difference to someone experiencing mental health crisis. The nurses will be able to advise officers and staff on supporting people who are mentally ill and will be able to administer appropriate help and support at the very first point of contact.

“By bringing partners together this new approach aims to fully support people who are mentally ill, ensuring they receive the appropriate care when they need it most.”

Hayley Richards, chief executive of Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership Trust, added: “We are delighted to have been able to work with our partners to launch this service. This will help make sure that people with mental health problems get the right care, in the right place and will enable us to provide support before people get to crisis point.”

Jill Shepherd, chief officer at Bristol Clinical Commissioning Group and coordinating commissioner for Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership Trust, said mental health was a priority area with one in four people in the UK experiencing mental health problems at some point in their lives.

“This service will provide essential support for those who are experiencing a deterioration in their mental health by helping them to get access to the services they need at the earliest opportunity, and we are really pleased to be launching this service with our partners in the police and fire services,” she said.