Who we are
This pioneering team is made up of highly skilled and experienced registered mental health nurses, allied health professionals and social workers. The team also includes support workers who provide care and support to people in a Place of Safety (PoS). The team is as an extension of our Street Triage Service
What we do
We oversee and support Mersey Care’s response to Right Care Right Person and provide management and oversight of Section 136 of the Mental Health Act (1983). We work with partner agencies in relevant police constabularies, A&E departments and local authorities. The team also links with police colleagues in custody suites to provide specialist Section 136 consultation and/or advice via our phone line for professionals.
Our aim is to provide a timely response to people needing a PoS in one of the Trust’s four PoS or one of the identified PoS within a hospital. The team also links with Street Triage practitioners to discuss possible interventions and Section 136 diversions. Onward referrals into mental health urgent care services may be appropriate following these contacts.
If a Section 136 is initiated, we identify the most appropriate PoS and provide bespoke, patient centred, trauma informed care. The team co-ordinates the Mental Health Act (1983) assessment and plans for safe transitions out of the PoS. We make timely referrals and link with community or urgent care services and hospital teams, as needed.
Enhanced assessment is provided by the team and hospital alternatives and crisis pathways are explored with the wider multi professional team. Safety planning is completed prior to patients transitioning out of the PoS. An emphasis on patient and carer experience is embedded within the team.
The team receives positive feedback from patients, carers/families and partner agencies. Moving people out of busy A&E departments and police custody suites into a therapeutic mental health environment and receiving support from experienced mental health staff is a priority for this team.
We provide 24/7 urgent mental health phone support for people experiencing a mental health crisis.
Anyone needing this support in Liverpool and Sefton can call our freephone number on 0800 145 6570. If you’re in Halton, Knowsley, St Helens or Warrington, freephone 0800 051 1508.
