Specialist electric mental health response vehicle helping to reduce hospital admissions

A specialist electric mental health response vehicle is helping to reduce hospital admissions in North East Essex.

East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) introduced the latest electric vehicle for a specialist mental health scheme, run in collaboration with Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Essex Partnership University Foundation Trust (EPUT), on September 30.

The scheme is aimed at improving the response to patients with mental health needs and has so far helped patients avoid more than 600 hospital admissions.

Staffed by EEAST ambulance clinicians and a mental health advanced nurse from EPUT, the vehicle operates seven days a week between 2pm and 2am. When needed, the specialist crew can triage patients over the phone when they do not require a physical response.

Tracy Singh, mental health advanced practitioner for EEAST, said: “The response vehicle is a specialist resource able to support people in mental health crisis.

“An EEAST clinician will physically assess the patient and if there is a medical need for attending the emergency department then an ambulance can support this. The mental health advanced practitioner (MHAP) will assess the patient’s needs and has access to the relevant systems, so is able to see care plans, risk assessments and any interventions the patient may be receiving.

“The MHAP is also able to access and utilise the specialist mental health pathways for ongoing care, such as crisis alternatives, crisis home treatment team and others.”

The scheme began after a successful pilot with a different vehicle in April 2023, and was awarded a three-year contract for the north east Essex area, operating in Colchester, Clacton and Tendring.

Claire Polito, EPUT’s Clinical Manager for the Mental Health Joint Response Vehicle, said: “When people are suffering a mental health crisis it’s important they receive the right care for their needs as swiftly as possible. Hospital isn’t always the right place for people because A&E can be noisy, busy environments with longer waiting times that can add to their feelings of stress and anxiety.

“The Mental Health Joint Response Car enables our ambulance colleagues and mental health practitioners to see people more quickly to assess and understand their needs and ensure they are safe. They will always work with patients and their loved ones to make sure they have the right care and support for their needs, whether that is in hospital or at home.”

Rob Chandler, Head of Mental Health System Change at NHS Suffolk and North East Essex ICB, said: “The mental health response car has proved extremely successful, having supported more than 1,250 people to receive the specialist care they need and avoided more than 600 hospital attendances since its launch.

“We are delighted that our colleagues at EEAST have decided to opt for an electric vehicle for the service now as this will mean the carbon footprint is greatly reduced, as well as the overall running costs.”