Joint Mental Health Response Car Goes Live Involving EEAST, Cambridgeshire And Peterborough

A mental health response car that is a joint initiative involving Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust and the East of England Ambulance Service is live across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, in the UK.

The ambulance response car will be crewed by a paramedic and a specialist mental health practitioner and will respond to 999 calls where there is a mental health concern. Following funding from the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group, it will operate for the next three months with the aim of reducing hospital attendances and delivering care in a community setting.

health-led response

Duncan Moore, Clinical Lead with the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said “Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are the first of the localities we cover to come on board with this model and we will actively be seeking support to expand it across the region."

Duncan Moore adds, “Delivering a health-led response to mental health needs is a priority for EEAST and, from patient feedback, it was clear the importance of treating patients with mental health needs in the right environment. That is often away from a busy emergency department and this initiative will also help with an ever-increasing demand being placed on the region’s ambulance service and the wider healthcare system.”

Mental health support

Overall it will ensure people get the right care at the right time and if the pilot proves successful"

Jamie Secker, Service Manager for CPFT’s First Response Service, said “To have an ambulance dedicated to helping those in mental health crisis is a really important step forward. It means we can offer rapid support to those with mental health issues in their own home."

Jamie Secker adds, "Instead of a regular ambulance taking people to an acute hospital, which can often be an inappropriate place for someone in a mental health crisis, our crews can triage people at home and arrange appropriate follow-up care. Overall it will ensure people get the right care at the right time and if the pilot proves successful, we hope to be able to offer the service across Cambridgeshire as well.”

Delivering vital support

The CCG’s lead GP for Mental Health, Dr. Emma Tiffin said, “It’s wonderful news that this project is being piloted, and that specialist mental health staff can work closely with a rapid response team to deliver vital support in the community."

Dr. Emma Tiffin adds, “To get this initiative off the ground at such a hugely challenging time for the health and care service is fantastic, and will hopefully also support the wider system by providing appropriate and timely care.”