Published on: 18th December 2024
We've joined forces with ambulance colleagues to help people experiencing a mental health crisis avoid A&E.
We provide the new mental health response vehicle jointly with North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust (NWAS) across our five boroughs.
The service launched earlier this year in the other five boroughs of Greater Manchester, led by NWAS and Greater Manchester Mental Health.
Running from 1pm to 1am, the service involves an emergency medical technician from NWAS and one of our mental health practitioners jointly responding to 999 NWAS calls where the person is experiencing a mental health crisis. Some may also have a 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.
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.
And the vehicle is fully electric, in line with our green plan and commitment to the national greener NHS programme to achieve net carbon zero.
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.”
Click here to find out more about our plans to transform mental health services.
Photo caption.
Pictured above (left to right) is: Jonny White, operations manager for NWAS; Michelle Casey, transformation delivery manager for Pennine Care; Vicky Minshull, mental health practitioner for Pennine Care; Danielle Lord, service manager for Pennine Care; Summer Kumar, mental health liaison lead for NWAS, Dean Moss, emergency medical technician for NWAS.