Mental health workers will be taking calls on an NHS helpline in a bid to free up staff during the coronavirus pandemic.
Two NHS Trusts have released mental health clinicians to ease the pressure facing emergency services during the lock-down.
From Friday, staff from Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys (TEWV) NHS Foundation Trust and Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust will support their NHS 111 and ambulance service colleagues in delivering a mental health support service.
Working on a rota, dedicated staff will be in place to take mental health calls away from NHS 111 operators freeing up their time to respond to calls from those experiencing physical health needs or requiring a mental health crisis response.
The mental health support service clinicians will also provide advice to paramedics attending mental health-related calls to help reduce unnecessary transfers to emergency departments.
Helen Embleton, urgent care pathways lead at TEWV and currently volunteering on the mental health support service rota alongside her trust role, said: “The current coronavirus situation has increased the demand placed on emergency services.
“As part of the Integrated Care System we have worked alongside colleagues from the North East Ambulance Service other NHS mental health providers and commissioners in the region to develop a pragmatic and prompt solution to address this and to ensure those in mental distress are able to easily access the help they need.
“This initiative supports work within the trust to make sure people can directly access mental health support and learning from this will inform longer term service developments."
North East Ambulance Service mental health lead, Stephen Down, added: “We anticipate that as the Covid-19 pandemic goes on, the number of patients experiencing anxiety and distress is likely to increase.
“To help people access the right help, the mental health support service will offer a listening ear and signposting provision to those in distress.
"By providing the right support at the right time, we hope to save people from having to be conveyed to accident and emergency departments or waiting days to see their doctor."
Gail Kay, project director at CNTW and mental health programme director for the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System, said: “It has never been more important for us to come together as healthcare providers to support each other and ensure the people requiring support and advice to manage their mental health and well being receive the best possible response.”
