Mental Health Solicitors

The government has announced that mental health nurses are to be posted at police stations and in courts to assist the police with cases involving detentions under the Mental Health Act 1983.

Under the Mental Health Act, mental health patients detained by the police either in their own home or in public places should ideally be taken to a mental health unit.

Many mental health patients are taken to police stations and detained – either because a placement in a mental health unit is not available or because there may not be a mental health unit close by.

If mental health patients are detained at police stations, this can lead to delays in assessment by specialist mental health professionals.

Recent cases of mental health patients detained under the Mental Health Act and held at police stations have resulted in harm coming to those detained, including cases in which mental health patients have died in police custody.

The pilot scheme is to be introduced in 10 areas with the aim of reducing the number of re-offenders among mental health patients. The areas chosen to pilot the new scheme are London, South Essex, Sussex, Avon & Wiltshire, Dorset, Leicester, Coventry, Merseyside, Sunderland & Middlesbrough and Wakefield.

The pilot scheme will cost £25 million and Care and Support Minister Norman Lamb – MP for North Norfolk – said that treating those with mental health issues as early as possible would help “divert” them away from re-offending.

If the scheme is successful, it will be rolled out by 2017, freeing up the equivalent of 26,000 officers whose time is taken up by dealing with mental health patients detained at police stations every year.

It is estimated that currently police officers spend between 15% and 25% of their time dealing with mental health patients.

The Policing Minister Damian Green said that police officers should spend their time on policing rather than dealing with mental health patients who are detained.

Mr Green said:

“Police officers should be focused on fighting crimes – and people with mental health conditions should get the care they need as early as possible.

“These pilots will not only ensure that happens – but in the longer term, will help drive down re-offending by individuals who, with the right kind of treatment, can recover fully.”
The Centre for Mental Health has welcomed the initiative.

Chief Executive Sean Duggan said:

“Liaison and diversion teams provide immediate advice and help to the police when they arrest someone with a mental health difficulty.

“They can screen for mental health problems and learning difficulties in both adults and children who come into police custody – and secure the right support for those who need it. We are pleased that the government has given the go-ahead to further development of liaison and diversion services.

“This year it will be five years since the Bradley Report was published – and it is vital that good quality mental health support for adults and children alike is available in every police station and court in England,” he added.

Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors

Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of specialist mental health solicitors and can advise on detention under the Mental Health Act 1983.

Duncan Lewis mental health solicitors are also able to visit police stations and hospitals at short notice – and can initiate treatment reviews for mental health patients where appropriate.

For expert advice on mental health law, call Duncan Lewis mental health solicitors on 020 7923 4020 – or contact the Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors Helpline on 0202 114 1124.