Evaluating the Mental Health Control Room Triage service

Three people sitting around a board table

The Mental Health Control Room Triage Service aims to decrease the number people with mental health issues who have to be detained by the police under section 136 of the Mental Health Act.

The triage service works by placing a team of mental health nurses into the Avon and Somerset Police Control Room. The nurses work alongside call handlers and police officers to provide advice and support regarding mental health-related 999 and 101 calls.

Our impact

In 2017, our Clinical Effectiveness & Research Team gathered stakeholder views and looked at service data to evaluate the first six months of the service.

Our findings showed a decreased demand on health-based Places of Safety, and a reduction in the number of section 136 detentions, including police time spent on processing them. Interviews with stakeholders identified improvements to the service, including more training for police officers on mental health issues, and increased awareness of the service amongst police and mental health staff.

The evaluation provided evidence to support decision making on the future of the service and to support continuous improvements.

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