A SCHEME piloted in Trafford that has seen the police and specialist nurses joining forces to help people with mental health issues has been hailed a success.

Police officers at Stretford Police Station have been working alongside a specialist mental health nurse to assess and provide support to people in a mental health crisis.

The introduction of the nurse to Trafford's integrated safer communities team, which also includes council staff, resulted in quicker assessments, saved police time and helped officers develop an understanding of mental health problems.

Early findings from an independent evaluation, completed jointly by New Economy with the Safer Trafford Partnership, estimated the scheme could save emergency services and the NHS more than £150,000 per year in the borough.

Jim Liggett, divisional superintendent for GMP said, “This is a huge step in helping people suffering a mental health crisis to receive the right care and support.

"The introduction of the specialist mental health nurse has been beneficial to the police and has provided people in a mental health crisis with the support that they need from a professional in the field of mental health."

The project, the first of its kind in Greater Manchester, was run in partnership between Greater Manchester Police and Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMW).

Helen Cutts, head of operations for clinical services at GMW, added: “This new approach from the police and health services will mean faster assessments and better care for people who are often suffering a severe mental health crisis."

A breakdown of the results of the 12-month project found there was a cut in calls to the police and the North West Ambulance Service and a fall in emergency department attendances and in-patient admissions.