Mental health street triage scheme launched

Chief Supt Chris Sykes

A new project to help reduce the number of people detained in custody under the Mental Health Act (MHA) is being piloted.

The street triage pilot runs until the end of March and will see qualified mental health nurses providing 24/7 advice and support for incidents attended by the police and ambulance service, where an individual has a mental illness.

The scheme has been successfully piloted in Bolton and Oldham, where the number of people detained under the MHA has reduced by more than 60 per cent.

When police or paramedics attend an incident within the Rochdale or Bury boroughs and believe that an individual involved has a mental illness, they will contact the street triage team. A mental health nurse will carry out a comprehensive assessment to understand whether the person needs help from mental health, social care or other support services.

The aim is to reduce the number of people who are detained under Section 136 of the MHA, ensuring those who do need care and treatment receive the right support quickly.

Chief Supt Chris Sykes, Territorial Commander for Rochdale and Bury, welcomed the news. He said: “It is essential that people with mental ill health receive the most suitable care when they need it.

“Police officers are regularly called to emergency incidents involving people who are in need of care and support. In such situations we want to make sure people suffering from mental ill health are correctly assessed, cared for and treated as quickly as possible. The street triage project means they will receive immediate and appropriate help on the spot.