Mental health scheme shortlisted for national award

The Mental Health Street Triage (MHST), an initiative that ensures patients receive fast and appropriate care during mental health crises, has been shortlisted in the Health Service Journal (HSJ) Value in Healthcare awards.

The project, which joins our clinical app as an award finalist, is a collaborative effort between the Trust and other agencies in Bedfordshire and is one of just eight shortlisted from 1,500 entries, with the winner to be announced on 24^th May.

The street triage, which launched last year, sees a police officer, paramedic and mental health professional team up in one vehicle to respond to mental health crisis calls together, 365 days a year.

Senior Paramedic Lisa Merkitt, who has played a key role in the project, said: "The Mental Health Street Triage team works tirelessly to provide an invaluable and innovative service to patients across Bedfordshire ensuring they receive the appropriate care in emergency situations. It is a privilege to be nominated for such a prestigious award and the team are immensely proud that we have been nationally recognised for all of our hard work.”

The MHST is a partnership between East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT), Bedfordshire Police, EEAST, Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group, Luton Clinical Commissioning Group and mental health charities Mind BLMK and the Samaritans.

Gail Dearing, ELFT’s Bedfordshire Mental Health Street Triage lead: “The focus of the street triage partners is to make sure people experiencing a mental health crisis get the right care at the earliest possible opportunity.

“We are delighted that our efforts to provide a proactive frontline mental health service have been recognised.

“This nomination is testament to the dedication of the triage staff and the teams working behind the scenes who provide invaluable support.”

Well done all – a fantastic achievement!

Published 10th February, 2017