PEOPLE with complex mental health needs will receive vital care at the most critical times in a bid to save lives.

A new crisis team - consisting of a police officer and two mental health professionals - will target individuals who regularly contact the emergency and health services.

Working with those patients, they will produce personalised crisis response plans based on their needs and treatment.

Then, when they call 999 at a time of crisis, call-takers can check their care plan to ensure they receive the most appropriate care.

Southend district commander Chief Insp Neil Pudney said: “Around 40per cent of calls to Essex Police are requests to help people experiencing a mental health crisis, but we are not always the most suitable organisation to help.

“That’s why this project is so important. The care plans use a combination of intervention and mentoring to ensure they get the best help and reduce the risk of them reaching levels of crisis.

“This will also help reduce demand across our emergency services.”

The Southend High Intensity Focus Team (SHIFT) will be based at the town’s police station in Victoria Avenue.

The team has been in place since August 1 and the pilot scheme will be funded by the NHS for a year.

Mr Pudney added: “We already work closely with the NHS and we hope this project will help support those people who have the most complex needs.

“Having a team working together in our community safety hub will allow our officers and NHS partners provide a better service to vulnerable individuals.

“It is vital that someone in crisis receives the most appropriate care and treatment, in order to reduce the risk they pose to themselves and other people.”

Dr José Garcia Lobera, chair and local GP clinical lead for mental health at NHS Southend Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “This project is very exciting. By combining the skills and expertise of mental health professionals and the police, we hope to bring healthier and safer care so that some of our most complex service users can access the services they truly need.”

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust