‘Right Care, Right Person’ is a partnership scheme between the Metropolitan Police Service and NHS that changes the way the emergency services respond to mental health calls [1].
‘Right Care, Right Person’ was implemented by the Met on 1 November 2023 and aims to make sure that the right agency deals with health-related calls, rather than the police being the default first responder.
The Met has reported that the strategy improves outcomes for those requiring urgent mental health support, reduces demand on all services and ensures the right care is being delivered by the right agency.
However, in response to the announcement, mental health charity MIND said there are “serious concerns that without new funding for mental health services, people who need help may not be able to receive it” [2].
Meanwhile, the Royal College of Psychiatrists said it was “inevitable that there will be issues which emerge for mental health staff, the police and some of the most vulnerable in society which the agreement does not adequately address” [3].
How has the Met worked with health partners in London to plan and deliver the roll-out of ‘Right Care, Right Person’? What impact has it had in London?
The London Assembly Police and Crime Committee will meet tomorrow to discuss the Met’s responsibilities and response to mental health in London. The guests are:
- Commander Kevin Southworth, Public Protection, MPS
- Detective Superintendent Alastair Vanner, LRO – Mental Health, MPS
- Daniel Elkeles, Chief Executive, London Ambulance Service
- Alison Blakely, Director of Clinical Assessment and Pathways, London Ambulance Service
- Martin Machray MBE, Executive Director of Performance, NHS England (London)
- Dr Lade Smith, President, Royal College of Psychiatrists
- Dr Sarah Hughes, Chief Executive, MIND
- Lynette Charles, Chair, MIND in London
The meeting will take place on Wednesday 7 February 2024 from 10am, in Committee Rooms 2&3 at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.
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Notes to editors
- Introduction of Right Care, Right Person model
- https://www.mind.org.uk/news-campaigns/news/mind-reacts-to-uk-government-announcement-of-right-care-right-person-approach/
- https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/news-and-features/latest-news/detail/2023/11/01/rcpsych-responds-to-launch-of-met-police's-'right-care--right-person'-initiative-across-london
- Read the agenda papers.
- Caroline Russell AM, Chair of the Police and Crime Committee, is available for interview.
- Find out more about the work of the Police and Crime Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For more information, please contact Emma Bowden in the Assembly Media Office on 07849 303897. For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.