Tony Hogg welcomes Government's investment in A&E mental health provision

Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Hogg has welcomed Government plans to invest millions in mental health provision at all accident and emergency departments.

Prime Minister David Cameron will today promise to invest £247 million in the next five years to make sure that every emergency department has mental health support.

He will pledge that these services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in at least half of England’s acute hospitals by 2020.

“I warmly welcome the Prime Minister’s commitment to establish mental health services in every accident and emergency unit in the country,” said Mr Hogg.

“One year ago people in mental health crisis were routinely being locked up in police cells because the NHS had little capacity to deal with those who require controlled, mental health treatment.

“This situation has improved tremendously over the past year but it remains a scandal that people with mental health crisis are not routinely dealt with at A&E.”

The knock on effect of this is that police officers spend lots of time trying to get people in crisis seen at hospitals to ensure the safety of the public and the wellness of the person.

“The public would revolt if they were turned away from hospital with a broken bone but many in our society cannot go to the obvious place of care when mental illness takes hold,” said Mr Hogg.

“The Prime Minister’s announcement should go a long way in ensuring parity of care for all in our society including the most vulnerable.”