Concordat to cut police detentions

Following the Care Quality Commission (CQC) branding mental health crisis care inadequate’ (CCMn February 2014), police, mental health trusts and paramedics have signed a new agreement to drive up standards. The Crisis Care Concordat also aims to cut the number of people with mental health issues detained inappropriately in police cells. It sets out the standards of care people should expect if they suffer a crisis and how services should respond. This includes making sure beds are always available for people who need them urgently rather than using police custody. Furthermore, police vehicles should not be used to transfer patients and mental health services will be encouraged to share essential need-to-know’ information about patients to keep them and the public safe.