Mental Health Solicitors

The Department of Health (DoH) has announced that an additional £12 million is to be spent over the next two years to expand services making mental health assessments available to individuals arrested.

The government has said that people with mental health conditions must not be detained at a police station unless absolutely necessary and where no alternative is available. Suspects must also undergo a psychological assessment if it is suspected they might have a mental health condition.

Some police forces are already working with specialist nursing staff to provide more suitable services for suspects who may have a mental health condition.

The £12m funding will see a rollout of liaison and diversion services in police custody suites and criminal courts across England.

Currently, 50,000 people a year are assessed by liaison and diversion services following arrest – and nearly 70% require mental health support.

The DoH said that the new funding would extend NHS England liaison and diversion services from 50% population coverage to 75% by 2018, helping people with mental health conditions, learning disabilities or autism to receive “the right care in the right place” – as well as supporting the work between the police and the NHS.

Liaison and diversion services can help ensure fair access to justice, limit the number of court hearings – and avoid costly adjournments and periods on remand.

Where appropriate, vulnerable people can be diverted away from the criminal justice system into treatment and care.

Mental health minister Alistair Burt said:

“We have made monumental strides in the way we think about and treat mental illness in this country in the last few decades – but people with a mental illness, learning disabilities or autism still need support when they come into contact with the criminal justice system.

“Expanding the successful liaison and diversion scheme will help make sure these factors are taken into account, so more vulnerable people have their needs considered.

“The next two years will see the service expanded to cover all major urban areas, securing services in the areas of most need.

“This will build on the successful rollout of services over the last two years that have identified and assessed over 71,000 vulnerable adults, children and young people.

“Subject to evaluation, full rollout should be achieved by 2020,” Mr Burt added.

Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors

Duncan Lewis is the UK’s largest provider of Legal Aid mental health services and can advise mental health patients on a wide range of issues – including access to NHS mental health services and detention under the Mental Health Act.

Duncan Lewis mental health solicitors regularly visit NHS hospitals and police stations to advise on mental health law – and are available nationwide at short notice for hospital and police station appointments.

In some cases, Duncan Lewis mental health solicitors may be able to advise the nearest relative or carer of a mental health patient on a range of issues, including initiating treatment reviews where appropriate.

For expert legal advice on mental health law, call the Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors Helpline on 0333 772 0409.