THE proposed closure of a Swindon place of safety unit has raised concerns that pressure could increase on police to provide cells for mental health assessment.

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is suggesting closing place of safety facilities in Sandalwood Court, Swindon, and Fountain Hospital, Salisbury, with suites at Green Lane Hospital, Devizes, serving the entire county.

But the Police Federation fears the removal could result in a shortage of mental health assessment locations, meaning more patients could be detained in custody.

Under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act a person believed by the police to have a mental disorder, and who may cause harm to themselves or another, can be taken to a place of safety where an assessment can be carried out.

AWP says due to delays, service users have on occasion been detained in police custody suites or A&E units, which are not appropriate for assessment.

David Ibbott, Wiltshire Federation chairman, said: “Mental health issues continue to be an issue for custody personnel as officers strive to make detention a better – and kinder – experience for individuals suffering a crisis.

“We have repeatedly said police cells are not the right place for those with mental health issues, and it’s true that in the past year, great strides have been made nationally in reducing the numbers in custody, down from 4,537 the previous year to 2,100 occasions in 2015/16 – a 53.7 per cent reduction.

“But resourcing and organisational issues across the NHS and local authorities have meant that too often the police service has had to step in when troubled individuals need a place of safety.

Anything that removes local mental health services could end up putting additional pressure on the police service and may result in more people suffering from a crisis ending up in police custody.”

Later this year police services are likely to experience even more pressures as the mental health provisions of the new Policing and Crime Act come into force, banning under 18s from being held in police custody.

Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson backed the controversial proposal saying it was the ‘right decision for patients and their families’. 

AWP say Swindon’s place of safety site cannot stay open because there is insufficient space to expand, the cost of the building is too great and analysis of admissions showed that Green Lane is the busiest suite.This would mean Swindon mental health patients would be sent out of the area and face a 45-minute journey for assessment.

To make your views known email awp.placesofsafetyfeedback@nhs.net, complete the feedback form on the trust’s website, call 01249 468 261 or freephone: 0800 073 1778, write to Places of Safety Feedback Avon and Wiltshire Partnership Mental Health NHS Trust, Jenner House, Langley Park Estate, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 1GG or attend any of the three consultation events. in Swindon, Salisbury and Devizes.

Further details of the consultation events will be announced on the trust’s website. The deadline for opinions is April 30.