When can the police be asked to attend mental health and learning disability settings, and for what reasons? Clinicians agree that when someone is having a mental health crisis, they become frustrated, frightened and distressed; but what about their own safety and that of others?
Police officers do not have specific powers to restrain a patient for the purposes of medical treatment regardless of whether the treatment is in the patient’s best interests. Research by the mental health charity Mind in 2013 found significant variance in the extent to which healthcare providers call the police for support around restraint and restrictive practices.
Hence, a Memorandum of Understanding has been agreed that sets a clear national position about when the police can be asked to attend mental health settings, for what reasons and what can be expected of them when they do attend. The MoU outlines police powers, the law, what healthcare people are committed to doing, how to manage uncertainties, restraint and restrictive practices and practical case studies showing good practice. It encourages police and healthcare professionals to continue reviewing and learning from incidents.
Commander Christine Jones, National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) lead for mental health, said: “We know physical restraint can be humiliating, terrifying, dangerous and even life-threatening.”
It represents two years of work by a group independently chaired by Lord Carlile of Berriew CBE QC and applies to all patients whether or not they are detained under the Mental Health Act 1983.
Lord Carlile, Chair of the Mental Health and Restraint Expert Reference Group, said: “Being restrained by police in these settings can trigger psychological trauma, especially for people with previous experience of physical or sexual abuse. The work we have done means every mental health provider in England and Wales now has a single document which clearly outlines their role and the role of others. This means the public will get the care they need, rather than control, and at the right time.”
It is supported by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Royal College of Nursing, Mind, The Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine and the National Police Chiefs’ Council. As the professional body for the police, the College of Policing was responsible for coordinating the MoU.
You can read the 28-page MoU on this link: http://www.college.police.uk/News/College-news/Pages/Mental_health_restraint_MoU.aspx.
Comment
For the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, Martyn Underhill PCC, APCC Portfolio Lead for Mental Health, said police and crime commissioners welcomed the agreement: “This MoU will remove the confusion that existed inside health based settings in relation to police attendance and expected police actions once there. It also helpfully explains the law, and acceptable practice. This document will undoubtedly help keep people safer at the same time as reducing police demand.
“The key issue now is for local organisations to embrace the MoU, through their local Crisis Care Concordat and ensure it is disseminated and understood by all partners.”
