'Safe spaces' for mentally ill

A £15m fund has been unveiled by the Government, which will be used to create ‘safe places’ to stop people with mental health problems being kept in police cells. The cash will be available in 10 police force areas — and it is expected to be used to build new facilities or refurbish existing ones. The money can also be used to create mental health crisis cafes or provide ambulance transport to places of safety, to ensure police cars aren’t used. The move follows BMA campaigning that called for the Government to commit to provide appropriate mental health facilities and urged action to tackle police vans being used to hold people experiencing mental health crises. A joint letter from the home secretary and the health secretary will be sent to Crisis Care Concordat groups in the areas inviting them to bid for funding. The 10 force areas, where the money will be targeted, are: Avon and Somerset Cleveland Derbyshire Devon and Cornwall Essex Lincolnshire Nottinghamshire South Yorkshire Sussex West Yorkshire   Care over custody Home secretary Theresa May says: ‘I have always been clear that people experiencing a mental health crisis should receive care and support rather than being held in a police cell. ‘While progress is being made, in some areas there is still a long way to go to improve outcomes for people with mental health needs. ‘This funding will ensure there are alternatives to ...
Source: BMA News - Category: UK Health Source Type: news