THE final phase of a national model aimed at ensuring vulnerable people get the right care and support from the right people, is being rolled out today, 14th October.
Right Care Right Person (RCRP) is an operational model that changes the way the emergency services respond to medical calls to ensure that vulnerable people receive the right specialist health support they need.
While some health incidents do require police attendance, there are a significant number in which there is no safety risk or crime committed, and therefore partners in health or social care would be best placed to offer this support.
Wiltshire Police and partner agencies launched the first phase of 'Right Care Right Person' in April this year, and applied to calls for service about concern for the welfare of a person, those who have walked out of a healthcare setting and people who are absent without leave (AWOL) from mental health services.
Today's phase relates to medical incidents where a member of the public or partner agency requests police to attend a medical incident or medical incidents where police are already present. This includes mental health and physical health conditions.
Wiltshire Police have said Right Care Right Person will not stop the police attending incidents where there is a threat to life or risk of immediate serious harm to an individual adding "We have a duty to protect our communities and we will continue to do so".
Areas the Right Care Right Person medical phase implementation relates to includes:
- Police will not attend calls to incidents when they are identified as a medical issue unless there is also a policing need identified, for example if required to support with a road closure or violence reported at the scene
- Police will not generally transport patients as they are not suitably trained or have appropriate vehicles
- Section 135 and 136 of the Mental Health Act - relating to when police officers are required to detain an individual if they are deemed at risk of harming themselves or others. Well-established processes are already in place in regard to this and will continue.
Mathew Page, Chief Operating Officer at Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, said: “We have been working closely with Wiltshire Police for a long time, and that is continuing with the ongoing rollout of Right Care Right Person across the district. It is right and appropriate that we work together to ensure that we recognise where the support of police is required.”
A spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT), said: “Wiltshire Police have taken a positive and collaborative approach to the implementation of Right Care Right Person. We continue to work closely with them, to monitor any impact, and to help keep patients’ and our peoples’ safety at the forefront of discussions.”
Gill May, Chief Nurse, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, said: “A mental health crisis is every bit a medical emergency as a severe physical injury, and it’s only right that vulnerable people in these challenging situations are cared for appropriately and in environments that can ensure their wellbeing is maintained.
“The NHS has a close working relationship with local police colleagues, and we will continue to work together to ensure the Right Care Right Person programme is implemented safely and securely.”
Want to know what’s on in Calne? Visit our local events page for listings and to find out how to add your own events for free. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news. Have you got a story for us? Email editor@calnenews.com or contact us here.
