MPs examine changes to emergency services’ response to mental health calls
MPs will examine a new police model that changes the way emergency services respond to calls about a mental health crisis.
Meeting details
This topical session will consider the National Partnership Agreement, published in July, on the Right Care, Right Person policy which is in the process of being rolled out nationwide. It was developed by Humberside Police with the intention that the right agency should respond to an emergency call, rather than the default position with police as the first responder.
West Midlands Police is aiming to be one of the first forces in the country to adopt RCRP following the national agreement. The mental health charity Mind has expressed its concern about the policy and its safety for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.
Likely areas of questioning
Questions are likely to be raised about the threshold for a police response, the impact of the policy to date where it is operational, and whether sufficient health and emergency care resources are available for work that has previously been carried out by the police.
Chair of the Home Affairs Committee Dame Diana Johnson MP and member Tim Loughton MP will guest at the hearing. Further witnesses will be confirmed next week.