Closer working between police and health professionals is delivering better service for the public while reducing officer attendance at hospital emergency departments in Lanarkshire.
A collaborative approach between Police Scotland’s Lanarkshire (Q) Division and NHS Lanarkshire to enable 24/7 triage with a Psychiatric Liaison Nurse (PLN) saw potential police attendances at emergency departments reduced by over 80 per cent.
The work was highlighted during a visit by the Scottish Police Authority to Motherwell Police Station on Tuesday, 13 August. This work aims to ensure people get the compassion, help and support they need and deserve from those best able to provide it.
Martyn Evans, Chair of the Scottish Police Authority met with officers and NHS colleagues to learn about the work.
Mr Evans said: "Police Scotland is increasingly providing support to people experiencing mental health distress, both in responding to calls for service and by safeguarding people in its care. This has been a concern for the Authority. Meeting this need is testing the capacity and capability of our hard working police officers and preventing those in need from getting the support and professional interventions they need.
"The approach in Lanarkshire highlights how effective collaboration between the police and NHS can lead to better outcomes for everyone. I hope the principles can continue to grow and be embedded in other areas."
Chief Superintendent Stevie Dolan, Lanarkshire Divisional Commander, said: “We are grateful to colleagues at NHS Lanarkshire who have made this triage service available.
“It means that those who understandably turn to the police can be put in touch with experts who can give them the help they need and deserve.
“NHS Lanarkshire’s commitment and our closer working with health colleagues has had a massive impact on reducing our attendance at hospital emergency departments – meaning officers are able to tackle threat, harm and risk and prevent crime.”
Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “This is a good example of how police officers and mental health professionals can work together to ensure people suffering from mental ill health get the right help in the right place at the right time.
“As well as benefitting the individuals who are in need, this is reducing unnecessary demand on officers. I have seen first-hand how the community triage system works in Lanarkshire and I would like to thank all those involved for their continued efforts to support those in need. The roll-out of the Mental Health Index, developed by the Mental Health Unscheduled Care Network, which includes Police Scotland, will support collaborative working between health boards and Police Scotland across the country.”
Use of the Community Triage Service in Lanarkshire has risen sharply, from 181 calls in 2019 to 1872 in 2023.
At the same time, potential police attendance at emergency departments reduced by 27% in 2019 and 81.45% in 2023.
Police Scotland’s Chief Constable Jo Farrell has said policing’s involvement in mental health incidents and supporting vulnerable people is beyond where policing should be and has established a mental health taskforce to co-ordinate work to better balance policing’s involvement.
Chief Superintendent Matt Paden is leading the taskforce and said the work between officers and health colleagues in Lanarkshire was an example of how better outcomes and efficiency can be achieved.
Chief Supt Paden said: “There are examples of strong local relationships across Scotland and the work in Lanarkshire underlines what can be achieved through collaboration.
“One size doesn’t fit all, however many of the principles demonstrated by this work could be taken forward in other areas and we are providing guidance and support for colleagues to help them to further develop local arrangements.
“This includes making a guide of Mental Health Index available to officers on their mobile devices to help them ensure people get the help they need and deserve.”
