Oldham the model for mental issues

KEY police and NHS figures are to hold a summit to discuss mental health issues.

Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd will lead the meeting, the main item of which will be an update on a Oldham pilot scheme.

The local “triage” scheme gives police officers round-the-clock contact with specialist mental health teams to help them decide the best course of action following incidents involving people with mental health issues. Traditionally officers make a decision based on their own assessment.

Following its launch in Oldham in December, assessments are now faster and there has been a reduction in officer time on cases involving mental health problems.

Mr Lloyd said: “It’s clear the scheme is having a positive impact, not just on reducing demands on policing, but more importantly improving how people suffering from a mental health crisis are treated. “People suffering mental health problems deserve the best service and the only way to achieve that is for the police, NHS and other agencies to pool resources and work together. The Oldham triage pilot is just one example of this.”