Anthony Card

“Outside of situations where section 42 of the Care Act 2014 applies, there appears to be no mechanism available to enable front-line police officers who wish, of their own volition and with the subject's consent, to communicate risk information, arising out of an interaction with an adult at Medium risk to self from mental ill-health, to medical or mental health care providers, whom may be the right person or agencies to provide support in the medium term.”

“The information that an individual has, for example, been reported as presenting in such a way that police have had to consider detaining them under section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983 could be important risk information that would assist medical or mental health care providers.”

“Not having this risk information available in future assessments may adversely affect decision-making - e.g., not having this information available could contribute to a decision not to admit compulsorily the patient for mental health care if they were to present again in, say, one week from the police interaction.”