It is fast approaching two years since Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust first launched the First Response service, which offers mental health crisis support 24 hours a day, seven days a week to vulnerable people needing urgent crisis support.
Accessed through a single phone number, 01274 221181, people in crisis can ring for help from trained staff, who can identify the most appropriate course of action.
The service is operated by the trust in partnership with Bradford and Airedale Clinical Commissioning Groups, City of Bradford Metropolitan Council, West Yorkshire Police, Haven, a day-time adult mental health service and Sanctuary, a night-time service developed with mental health charity Mind.
This has resulted in people being cared for closer to home, with no out of area placements since the service launched on 6 March 2015. In 2014-15 out of area beds cost the trust £1.8 million and meant that patients often had to travel a significant distance to receive mental health care at a time when they were in crisis. Following a redesign of services, patients are getting the help they need within their own communities without having to travel long distances.
First Response has made a significant difference to the local management of crisis care, in particular for the emergency services. Intervening early and signposting to the right services has reduced demand on the police, ambulance services and A&E department and achieved a significant reduction in people detained under section 136 – which gives police the power to take someone to a place of safety.
For further information see https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/case-studies/bradford-first-response/ or contact via email [email protected]