A TRAIL-BLAZING Welsh scheme which cares for those in mental distress during police incidents helped more than 80 vulnerable people with face-to-face support in its first six months.
More than 180 with similar issues were given valuable advice and guidance by phone and other methods.
The service, which sees Dyfed- Powys Police officers and Hywel Dda University Health Board personnel work side-by-side, ensures those suffering mental health distress get the right attention.
It means fewer trips to police cells for vulnerable individuals with a mental illness – and significant savings for public services.
The progress of the Dyfed-Powys Street Triage, now nearing the end of its pilot year, has been followed by others.
On December 10, the Welsh Government plans to unveil a national concordat on how organisations will best work together to ensure people get the help they need during a mental health crisis. A similar concordat exists in England.
Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon, who backed the pioneering west Wales scheme by funding the purchase of an unmarked consultation van, said: “I raised this issue with Welsh Government two years ago and I’m glad that our police force and Hywel Dda have led the way.
“I’m delighted that a year after we launched our triage scheme the forthcoming Mental Health Crisis Care Concordat will recognise the importance of treating mental illness as a health issue, not a police one.
“The work of all those involved in delivering our local service is to be applauded; a huge amount of effort and expertise has resulted in a great new project.
“In the past, many people have been locked in police cells when what they’ve really needed is health treatment. Across the Hywel Dda area they now get that treatment.
“The concordat has been a long time coming but will put clear responsibility on health services to treat mental health cases. The police will be there to help, not the other way round. It’s a great example of work between the police and the health board.”
Libby Ryan-Davies, the university health board’s Director of Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Services, said:“Our triage makes a more efficient use of public services; it sees key services work together to ensure people suffering mental distress receive the support they need in the right places. At Hywel Dda we’re pleased to be playing a key role in its development and progress.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Andy John, of Dyfed-Powys Police, said: “The excellent triage project improves our response to vulnerable people and provides specific assistance to those who need it.”
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