Mental Response vehicles stood by in Norfolk and Waveney
Date: 24 December 2024Since 2021, over 4,000 people in Norfolk and Waveney in mental health crisis have received help from dedicated Mental Health Response Vehicles (MHRVs).
December, with its short daylight hours, challenging weather and the Christmas holidays can be a difficult time for those already suffering with mental health issues.
Mental health services in Norfolk and Waveney receive more than 13,000 calls a year, and expect to see increases during the holiday period.
Since 2021, people in mental health crisis have been able to get help from dedicated Mental Health Response Vehicles (MHRVs).
The cars are crewed by ambulance clinicians from EAST of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) and also a qualified mental health nurse from Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. This allows people in mental health crisis to have any physical issues or injuries assessed and treated, while directing them to help and support for their mental wellbeing.
Since being launched with one car four years ago, a second MHRV has been added to Norfolk and Waveney. They have had contact with 4,671 patients and 90% of them were able to avoid being admitted to hospital, through further support in the community.
Nicky Gordon, a Mental Health Advanced Nurse Practitioner with EEAST said:
“For people in mental health crisis, clinical environments can often heighten their anxiety.
“Our MHRVs are designed to have soothing lighting and a comfortable interior that can help calm people experiencing mental health crisis.
“Having both a paramedic and a mental health nurse on the scene means that most patients won’t need to be transported to hospital.”
“For those patients our response cars can’t get to, regular ambulance crews can attend, and they can call a dedicated number to speak to a mental health professional for clinical advice and triaging.
“This is also often successful in avoiding unnecessary and distressing admittance to hospital.”
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, or helping someone who is: Contact 111 and select the mental health option.
or for face-to-face support near you:
REST Hubs (run by the charity Mind)
Steam House Cafes are purpose designed mental health crisis cafes across Norfolk & Suffolk
