After launching a month ago, a pilot scheme involving mental health professionals, police and ambulance staff has already helped 58 people in Tameside.

Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, Greater Manchester Police and North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust created the mental health joint response service for Tameside and Oldham to make sure people receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place.

It involves one of Pennine Care’s mental health clinicians and a police officer jointly attending incidents, where the person is experiencing a mental health crisis. The service runs from 5pm to 1am in Tameside, which is when GMP receives the highest number of mental health crisis calls in the borough.

The clinician can assess patients at the scene to ensure every appropriate community-based care option is considered, so that A&E, or an admission to a secure section 136 suite (place of safety) are a last resort for those who really need it.  

Nearly 1,000 people were admitted to Pennine Care’s 136 suites between April 2020 and March 2021, according to the latest data. Following assessment, only 16 per cent needed a hospital admission, meaning the majority could have been appropriately and safely treated by a community-based service.   

Thanks to the scheme across Tameside and Oldham, 70 patients avoided being taken to A&E and 51 avoided being taken to a section 136 suite. Only 13 patients were taken to A&E and six were taken to a 136 suite. 

The remaining patients received various types of support, such as mental health advice, being directed to our 24/7 helpline, referred to their GP, or linked in with their existing care team or co-ordinator. 

Pennine Care’s acute service manager in Tameside, Rachael Osborne, has been working shifts with her police colleagues over the last month. She said: “The pilot has gone really well so far. On the very first night we had a lady who expressed suicidal intent. After arriving in minutes we were able to complete a mental health triage in her own home and she said she felt valued and listen to. This has been very much the theme up to now, with so many people helped. 

“The hard work and dedication from the mental health practitioners in Tameside, who have covered the service, has really shaped the pilot’s success. We’ve developed great relationship with the police officers too. They’ve been so helpful and very considerate.

“Feedback from the police has been positive too. They’ve said having a mental health practitioner with them has saved time, calmed situations, enhanced their knowledge and relieved concerns around patients’ wellbeing.”

Greater Manchester Police's Chief Inspector for Tameside, Claire Galt, said: “The pilot scheme will enable us to offer a better service to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. Working with Pennine Care clinicians and NWAS at the first response ensures that the person is given qualified mental health care from the start.  It’ll help to tackle an issue we see on a daily basis and we’re pleased to see it’s already making a real difference." 

Dr Lesley Jones, mental health and dementia lead for North West Ambulance Service, said: "We thank Pennine Care and GMP for allowing us to collaborate on this initiative, showing how the Greater Manchester mental health response car can also work with NWAS to further support people who are ringing 999 with a mental health crisis." 

The pilot scheme will be evaluated when it ends on 31 March 2022. If it continues to be successful, the aim is to secure permanent funding and roll it out across Pennine Care’s other boroughs of Rochdale and Stockport. 

People of any age who need mental health advice or support can phone Pennine Care’s 24/7 helpline on 0800 014 9995.

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