Legal News

A 12-month pilot in which mental health professionals will work with police officers on patrol has been launched across Dorset.

Local publisher the Dorset Echo reports that the Mental Health Street Triage service will operate at the weekends on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights between 7pm and 8.30am.

Police officers attending incidents will be able to draw on the medical input of the mental health practitioners working with them – including a mental health assessment of any suspect or detainee, if necessary.

The team from Dorset Healthcare will offer a triage service by phone to police officers on patrol – and will also assist officers responding to emergency calls, as well as advising staff in patrol rooms on mental health issues.

Police officers at Bournemouth Police Station – which also serves Poole – have requested that the team from Dorset Healthcare will attend incidents in Bournemouth and Poole.

The mental health practitioners will expand their presence to Weymouth in a few weeks’ time.
The scheme is intended to “divert” individuals with mental health issues away from the Criminal Justice system whenever possible and if appropriate, to ensure that they receive proper assessment and community care if they come into contact with the police.
Section 17a of the Mental Health Act 2007 makes provision for Supervised Community Treatment (SCT) for mental health patients detained under Section 3 (admission for treatment for up to six months) – or who are subject to certain specific provisions under Part III of the Mental Health Act.
Several high-profile cases in the media have, however, highlighted the demands on police officers when arresting individuals with mental health issues.

Under the Mental Health Act, those detained by the police who have a mental health condition – or who are suspected of having a mental health condition – should be taken to a “place of safety”, ideally to a hospital for assessment.

However, police sometimes have no option but to detain mental health patients in police cells until an assessment can be made by an available doctor, mental health practitioner or social worker.

Under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act 2007, police can detain a mental health patient for up to 72 hours.

Being held in police custody can have a negative psychological impact on people with mental health conditions – and in some cases, restraints in custody have led to serious or fatal injury.

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill said:

“It is crucial that people with mental health problems get the right care in the right place, at the right time.

“With the support of health professionals, officers will have the assistance they need to treat vulnerable people appropriately in times of crisis.

“This is a huge step forwards in our partnership work between health services and the police.”

Duncan Lewis Mental Health Lawyers

Duncan Lewis mental health lawyers are the largest provider of mental health Legal Aid services in the UK.

Duncan Lewis mental health lawyers regularly visit police stations and hospitals to advise on mental health law and patients’ rights under the Mental Health Act.

In some cases, Duncan Lewis may also be able to advise the Nearest Relative (NR) or carer of a mental health patient, including initiating treatment reviews, where appropriate.

Duncan Lewis mental health lawyers can arrange appointments at any hospital at short notice – and we regularly assist mental health patients across the country, as well as in London.

For expert help with mental health law, contact the Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors’ Helpline on 0203 114 1124.