Published on: 30th March 2016
A refurbished unit at Peter Hodgkinson Centre in Lincoln significantly reduces the risk of anybody suffering from mental health problems being taken into police custody.
The Section 136 Suite run by Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, opened in 2012, however current facilities were small and not fit for purpose. Subsequently the Trust has been able to invest £150,000 to expand and improve the existing facility to provide two new rooms in a dedicated space for assessment.
The suite provides a facility for adults and young people found by Lincolnshire Police in a public place who are suffering from mental health problems and allows them to be assessed in an appropriate environment, rather than a police cell.
Anita Lewin, Quality Lead for Adult Mental Health Inpatient services, said:
It is important that people assessed under Section 136 are supported in a suitable environment and seen by mental health professionals. The suite at PHC is more appropriate than a police station and will ensure that as far as possible no one suffering with acute mental health problems will be held in police cells as a place of safety.
The Trust and Lincolnshire Police work closely to ensure that best practice is followed. Individuals are assessed under section 136 of the Mental Health Act by a doctor and approved mental health professional who then determine the next course of action.
An assessment is usually undertaken between two to four hours after someone arrives and then individuals are either sent home, possibly for home treatment or admitted to the wards at Peter Hodgkinson Centre.
The suite serves the entire county of Lincolnshire.
Section 136 is an emergency power which allows the Police to remove a person, from a place to which the public have access, who appears to be suffering from mental disorder and to be in immediate need of care or control. If the police officer thinks it necessary to do so in the interests of that person, or for the protection of others, they may take the person to a place of safety where they should receive a mental health assessment and if necessary arrangements should be made for their on-going care.
