A new agreement to improve the system of care and support for people in a mental health crisis has been signed by the Welsh Government, police forces, the NHS, councils and other agencies.
The crisis care concordat commits the organisations to work together to intervene early and, if possible, to reduce the likelihood of people posing a risk to themselves or others as a result of a mental health condition.
A key part of this approach are new proposals to reduce the use of police custody for people suffering with mental health problems.
Health and Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford said: “This new agreement is about providing the most appropriate care and support to those facing a mental health crisis, whatever the time, every day of the year.”
Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent Ian Johnston said: “People in mental health crisis are some of the most vulnerable members of our community and they need specialist care and attention.
“We are talking about people in their greatest hour of need who are at their most vulnerable. They also bring additional challenges to the officers in charge of our custody units. They should not be detained in police custody, especially as many have not committed a crime.
“By making the most of this agreement and working effectively with our local partners, we can ensure that we have appropriate structures in place to support people in a mental health crisis. We all need to work together to deliver on this and drive it forward.”
This `agreement` will need to be better than the dishonest Cancer protocol between this useless Health Board and the Welsh Government which is failing Welsh People, and, is manipulated in ways which are dishonest and denying Welsh Citizens proper Cancer Care.
This is something the Gwent Police have been batting on about for years.
Politicians Listening at last, or just an election soundbite, looks a good idea, but the reality could be very different.