Mental Health Triage Car
With the support of the Scottish Government, the Scottish Ambulance Service has developed mental health specific resources within our own service. Working with our partners in Mental Health Assessment Units and Health and Social Care Partnerships, mental health triage cars operate in Glasgow, Dundee and Inverness. These cars are staffed by a Paramedic with additional mental health training. In our Glasgow and Dundee sites a mental health nurse attends alongside the paramedic. In Inverness, a team of mental health nurses provide enhanced support via direct telephone link to the mental health car.
The Mental Health Cars respond to people who have contacted 999 for Ambulance support for a mental health need. The vehicles are dispatched by our Ambulance Control Centres.
In a recent visit to the Mental Health Car in Dundee, Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care, Kevin Stewart MSP said,
“Mental wellbeing is more important than ever right now and I am pleased to see this initiative being established as part of the Scottish Government’s mental health strategy. With these three triage cars and over 20 dedicated roles within this service, it means people in need of mental health support will get it quicker and that can only be a good thing.”
