5 February 2007
Dear Sir,
Using police cells as a “place of safety” under the Mental Health Act for people in mental health crisis, is, as Jan Berry (Jan 30) points out, an outdated and inhumane way to care for the most vulnerable in our society. At its worst, this places their lives at risk and intolerable strain on police officers who have neither the training nor the facilities to care for acutely unwell people.
There is an opportunity to address this through the new Mental Health Bill by placing clear and enforceable restrictions on the use of cells. However, a change of attitude is also needed. Health authorities need to acknowledge their responsibility to provide appropriate mental health services for those who need them. Instead they often gatekeep their resources so rigidly as to exclude people from their care, leaving the police force to pick up the pieces.
Moira Fraser
Head of Policy
Mental Health Foundation
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