Information relating to Mental Health Emergencies

Freedom of Information Request

Reference

FOI/93120

Request Date

29 Oct 2020

Information Requested

Is there currently, or has there ever been a distinct response for psychiatric emergencies that differs from the standard ambulance response? Has there ever been a multi-agency model of care for mental health emergencies?

Response

Three trials looking at the introduction to responding to psychiatric emergencies differently have actively taken place since 2018 to present date.

In 2018, the first trial was conducted in the Greater Glasgow area which involved the dispatch and attendance of a Mental Health Nurse, Scottish Ambulance service Paramedic and a Police officer, specific to patients triaged as “in Mental Health distress”. Their attendance provided the signposting to a greater scope of appropriate pathways specific to the individual patients’ needs and ongoing care.

The Second trail was conducted over the Christmas and New Year period in 2019 to 2020. Again, this took place in the GGC area and involved the dispatch and attendance of a Mental Health Nurse, a Scottish Ambulance Paramedic to the patients triaged as “in Mental Health distress”, and their attendance resulted in suitable pathways / care plans put in place.