Image source, Richard Caballeros/BBC
- Author, Phil Sepka and Andy Trigg
- Role, BBC News, Norfolk
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3 hours ago
A senior police officer insisted his force was not “washing its hands” of people needing mental health support.
On Wednesday, Norfolk police introduced a controversial initiative called Right Care, Right Person (RCRP)which would cause officers to respond to fewer mental health-related calls.
Instead, some people who need help will be diverted to other organisations, such as the NHS or ambulance service.
Deputy Chief Constable Nick Davison said the force would still respond to emergencies where there was a significant risk to life or harm.
“There is a paramedic and a mental health nurse in a rapid response vehicle that exists in the county that can provide answers,” he said.
“It’s not that there aren’t any services in Norfolk.”
The RCRP has been introduced by various police forces across the UK.
ACC Davison said it was “impossible to say” whether RCRP would have made a difference to the outcome of the deaths.
Last week, a report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS), commissioned by former Norfolk police and crime commissioner Giles Orpen-Smellie after the deaths in Costessey, found that the norfolk police control room You need to improve the way you handle emergency calls involving vulnerable people.
However, the inspectorate stated that overall the call handlers provided “an effective and professional service to the public”.
Last year, Norfolk Police received almost 23,000 “welfare calls”, representing 12% of their total demand.
Image source, Richard Caballeros/BBC
Activists in Norfolk had previously questioned the timing of the RCRP launch, with one describing it as “unsafe and reckless”.
Tracey Bleakley, chief executive of NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “We have taken steps to adapt the model to Norfolk and are working alongside our partners in health and social care, so we can make the necessary changes. to the provision of services and ensure that vulnerable people receive appropriate care from the relevant agency.
“We have also been engaging with local experts by experience as part of this work and will continue to monitor the rollout across Norfolk.”
