Adults across South Yorkshire who need a health-based place of safety in a crisis will ALL receive the same consistent care and approach thanks to a collaboration between public sector organisations in South Yorkshire.
On behalf of The South Yorkshire Integrated Care System (ICS) Mental Health, Learning Disability Programme - a collaboration of key partners from South Yorkshire Police, Mental Health and Acute Trusts, Local Authorities, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, Emergency Departments and NHS South Yorkshire - have developed a ‘South Yorkshire Section 136 Pathway and Standard Operating Procedures for Places of Safety’ that sets out key principles and provides a consistent pathway of care for adults to ensure a high quality and coordinated response to crisis.
Section 136 is part of the Mental Health Act that gives police emergency powers. Police can use these powers if they think someone is having a mental health crisis and needs immediate help. They will take the individual to a place of safety for a mental health assessment by a registered and qualified Section12 Doctor.
The new South Yorkshire Section 136 pathway and standard operating procedures launched this month have been welcomed by colleagues across the ICS.
Kathryn Singh, Chief Executive of RDASH and ICS Lead for Mental Health said: ‘The pathway has been developed in line with legislative provision, national guidance and local policy and its primary aim is to ensure that South Yorkshire’s most vulnerable individuals are cared for in the most effective and most appropriate way, which places individuals experiencing a mental health crisis and their experiences at the centre of the process.”
The pathway sets out the section 136 process from the initial point of contact with the police and includes the consultation requirement in line with South Yorkshire procedures; modes of conveyance and standard operating procedures for all Places of Safety across South Yorkshire. The pathway also includes the process for escalating s136 bed closures and introduces cross boundary agreements including arrangements for assessment and follow up care.
Kathryn continued: “Having a consistent pathway and protocols means all agencies who are involved are aware of their roles and responsibilities in line with the criteria, individuals with mental health issues detained for criminal offences, are processed with due regard to the law, but most importantly people detained under section 136 Mental Health Act 1983 are treated with respect, without discrimination are assessed as quickly as practicable and all agencies involved in their care focus on providing the best possible support for the detained person to enable a quick recovery and return to their place in the community.”
Detective Chief Inspector Richard Hammond, force lead for mental health at South Yorkshire Police, said: “Mental health crisis can effect anyone at any time, just like becoming physically ill can. The section 136 pathway puts the individual at the centre of their treatment and ensures they are seen by the right people, in the right place, at the right time. And, maybe most importantly, it will ensure a consistency of approach, no matter where you are in South Yorkshire.
“It will help to speed up the assessment process, while also ensuring anyone in mental health crisis is treated in a humane and compassionate way. This will mean the most vulnerable members of our communities are cared for according to national guidance and with a public health approach, which will hopefully aid their recovery.”
Gavin Boyle, NHS South Yorkshire Chief Executive said: “It’s terrific to see a range of partner agencies working together to deliver a better and more consistent service for people who need our care. It’s a great example of Integrated Care Systems in action - working in a joined-up way to better serve our communities.”
