New Scheme Cuts Number of Mental Health Patients Going to Hospital
Fewer people with mental health problems are ending up in hospital, thanks to a new scheme piloted in Yorkshire Ambulance's emergency centre.
Specialists were introduced over Christmas to support call takers and frontline clinical staff.
By talking to people with mental health problems who dialled 999, nearly 30 percent less of them were taken to hospital.
The scheme proved so successful that it's now being extended, and Yorkshire Ambulance hopes to secure funding to make it a permanent service.
“Having mental health specialists in our emergency operations centre for a trial period over Christmas saw a reduction of 27% in the number of patients with mental health issues being taken to hospital which was an excellent result and one we are really keen to maintain,” says Associate Medical Director Dr Steven Dykes.
“Whilst initially we will only be continuing this at peak times we are looking to secure funding to ensure it becomes a core service for us in the future.”