A team of Nurses are being deployed in Lincolnshire Police control rooms to assist officers in dealing with calls involving mental health issues.
Significant investment from the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones means Nurses from Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust can help support front-line officers.
Starting later this month the nurses will be on hand to offer advice to callers and help officers deal with situations or direct them to alternative services.
The service will provide a link between the police and services such as the Rapid Response Vehicle for Lincoln and Gainsborough, mental health liaison services and the Section 136 Suite. It is hoped the new service will result in a reduction in Section 136 detentions for mental health crisis.
Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones said; “I hope the new project will provide valuable support for officers dealing with very difficult circumstances on a daily basis as they keep our communities safe”.
“It is equally important that we deal with vulnerable people as sympathetically and professionally as possible and get them the services and support they need quickly. “The new crisis nurses will be on hand to help officers with the right advice, guidance and support to manage situations in the best way and to get the right help to the right place quickly”.
Dr John Brewin, Chief Executive of Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are pleased to be working jointly with Lincolnshire Police in this way, and that the more vulnerable members of the community will be supported at such times of crisis”.