Right Care Right Person scheme expanded in Wiltshire

It aims to make sure people are given the correct support in emergencies

Author: Faye TryhornPublished 15th Oct 2024

A scheme being rolled out by Wiltshire Police and its partner agencies is being expanded, to help keep vulnerable people safe in emergencies.

Right Care Right Person aims to make sure people are given the correct support for the most appropriate service when they need it.

The first phase began in April, relating to calls to police about concerns for the welfare of a person, those who have walked out of a healthcare setting and people who are absent without leave (AWOL) from mental health services.

The latest phase starts this week (from Monday 14th October) to also cover medical incidents - where a police are requested to attend an emergency or an incident where police are already present - whether that's mental health or physical conditions.

Wiltshire Police Head of Contact Management Superintendent David Minty said:

“Right Care Right Person is focused on giving the most appropriate and beneficial care to members of our communities. There are circumstances where our partners in other agencies are best placed to offer support to vulnerable people.

“Wiltshire Police and our partner agencies already have close working relationships and protocols in place, what Right Care Right Person helps provide is a nationally recognised model and decision-making toolkit to ensure people receive the most appropriate care.”

Right Care Right Person will not stop the police attending incidents where there is a threat to life or risk of immediate serious harm to an individual. We have a duty to protect our communities and we will continue to do so.

Mathew Page, Chief Operating Officer at Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, said:

“We have been working closely with Wiltshire Police for a long time, and that is continuing with the ongoing rollout of Right Care Right Person across the district. It is right and appropriate that we work together to ensure that we recognise where the support of police is required.”

A spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT), said:

“Wiltshire Police have taken a positive and collaborative approach to the implementation of Right Care Right Person. We continue to work closely with them, to monitor any impact, and to help keep patients’ and our peoples’ safety at the forefront of discussions.”

Gill May, Chief Nurse, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, said:

“A mental health crisis is every bit a medical emergency as a severe physical injury, and it’s only right that vulnerable people in these challenging situations are cared for appropriately and in environments that can ensure their wellbeing is maintained.

“The NHS has a close working relationship with local police colleagues, and we will continue to work together to ensure the Right Care Right Person programme is implemented safely and securely.”

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