New mental health service helps people avoid A&E

Mental health professionals and ambulance staff have joined forces to help people in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale experiencing a mental health crisis avoid A&E.

The new mental health response vehicle is jointly provided by North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust (NWAS) and Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, which provides mental health, learning disability and autism services.

Running from 1pm to 1am, it involves an emergency medical technician from NWAS and mental health practitioner from Pennine Care jointly responding to 999 calls where the person is experiencing a mental health crisis.

Some may also have an associated physical health need.

The patient can be treated at the scene, instead of going to A&E which isn’t the best place for someone experiencing a mental health crisis.

Making sure they quickly receive the right care, in the right place, will benefit their recovery, ensure they have a positive experience and make best use of professionals’ time.

The service is for people of any age, including children and young people. It’s also available in the other nine boroughs of Greater Manchester.

Each call is triaged to make sure it’s appropriate for the mental health response vehicle, followed by a face-to-face assessment on arrival with the patient.

Once any immediate physical health needs have been met, the patient will be supported and assessed by the mental health practitioner, who will refer or signpost them to the most appropriate service.

For most people this will be a community-based care option, for example voluntary sector support, NHS 111, or their GP. A&E or admission to a 136 suite (hospital-based place of safety) will be a last resort for those who really need it.

The service’s bespoke vehicle is kitted out with a range of physical health equipment, including a defibrillator, dressings, basic airway devices, appropriate medications and more. There’s a dedicated space in the van to ensure the patient can be treated in privacy and comfort.

Danielle Lord, service manager for Pennine Care, said: “It’s been great working with NWAS colleagues to develop and launch our new mental health response vehicle.

“Together we can provide the right mental health care, in the right place, which is important for people’s recovery and making best use of professionals’ time and skills.

“We’ve made many improvements to mental health services over the last couple of years. We’ll continue to work hard with our partners to transform services and ensure a happier and more hopeful life for everyone in our communities.”

Summer Kumar, mental health liaison lead at NWAS, added: “We’re delighted to support this new resource that’ll benefit patients. The NWAS mental health team is working closely with partners to meet the aims of the NHS long-term plan for those in a mental health crisis. We look forward to seeing more positive outcomes for the people who need us.”