South Yorkshire partners come together to the benefit of mental health crisis patients

On behalf of The South Yorkshire Integrated Care System (ICS) Mental Health,
Learning Disability Programme - a collaboration of key partners from South
Yorkshire Police, Mental Health and Acute Trusts, Local Authorities, Yorkshire
Ambulance Service, Emergency Departments and NHS South Yorkshire - have
developed a ‘South Yorkshire Section 136 Pathway and Standard Operating
Procedures for Places of Safety’ that sets out key principles and provides a
consistent pathway of care for adults to ensure a high quality and coordinated
response to crisis.

Section 136 is part of the Mental Health Act that gives police emergency powers.
Police can use these powers if they think someone is having a mental health crisis
and needs immediate help. They will take the individual to a place of safety for a
mental health assessment by a registered and qualified Section12 Doctor.
The new South Yorkshire Section 136 pathway and standard operating procedures
launched this month have been welcomed by colleagues across the ICS.

Kathryn Singh, Chief Executive of RDASH and ICS Lead for Mental Health said: ‘The
pathway has been developed in line with legislative provision, national guidance and
local policy and its primary aim is to ensure that South Yorkshire’s most vulnerable
individuals are cared for in the most effective and most appropriate way, which
places individuals experiencing a mental health crisis and their experiences at the
centre of the process.”

The pathway sets out the section 136 process from the initial point of contact with
the police and includes the consultation requirement in line with South Yorkshire
procedures; modes of conveyance and standard operating procedures for all Places
of Safety across South Yorkshire. The pathway also includes the process for
escalating s136 bed closures and introduces cross boundary agreements including
arrangements for assessment and follow up care.

Kathryn continued: “Having a consistent pathway and protocols means all agencies
who are involved are aware of their roles and responsibilities in line with the criteria,
individuals with mental health issues detained for criminal offences, are processed
with due regard to the law, but most importantly people detained under section 136
Mental Health Act 1983 are treated with respect, without discrimination are assessed
as quickly as practicable and all agencies involved in their care focus on providing
the best possible support for the detained person to enable a quick recovery and
return to their place in the community.”

Detective Chief Inspector Richard Hammond, force lead for mental health at South
Yorkshire Police, said: “Mental health crisis can effect anyone at any time, just like
becoming physically ill can. The section 136 pathway puts the individual at the centre
of their treatment and ensures they are seen by the right people, in the right place, at
the right time. And, maybe most importantly, it will ensure a consistency of approach,
no matter where you are in South Yorkshire.

“It will help to speed up the assessment process, while also ensuring anyone in
mental health crisis is treated in a humane and compassionate way. This will mean
the most vulnerable members of our communities are cared for according to national
guidance and with a public health approach, which will hopefully aid their recovery.”

Gavin Boyle, NHS South Yorkshire Chief Executive said: “It’s terrific to see a range
of partner agencies working together to deliver a better and more consistent service
for people who need our care. It’s a great example of Integrated Care Systems in
action - working in a joined-up way to better serve our communities.”