The Street Triage Teams work across the Trust and aim to improve access to mental health services and avoid preventable detentions when using section 136 of the Mental Health Act.

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Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust are working with Northumbria Police and Cumbria Constabulary to improve care for people experiencing mental health issues who come into contact with the Police.

The Street Triage Teams operate across Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, Sunderland, South Tyneside, Gateshead and East Cumbria areas.

The teams aim to improve access to mental health services and avoid preventable detentions when using section 136 of the Mental Health Act.

Section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983 provides a police officer with the power to remove someone found in places other than dwellings who, in the officers opinion:

• has a mental health condition
• is in need of care or control
• requires a place of safety for their own interests or for the protection of others.

If you are placed on a Section 136 police work together with mental health services to share information and ensure that you are taken to a place of safety. You will be supported by a mental health nurse while you wait to be assessed by two doctors and an approved mental health professional.

The team of nurses and police officers are based in Sunderland, Newcastle and Carlisle, and work seven days a week to ensure those who come into contact with the police receive a high quality, effective service and are able to signpost to support services.

You will be seen by a mental health nurse in an appropriate place, this could be your home, police station or a street triage vehicle.

With your consent the service contacts other professionals who are involved with you and can provide an assessment of your mental health or learning disability needs.

Staff can also arrange a referral to a community mental health team, crisis team or provide self-referral information to drug and alcohol services, talking therapies or other community resources.

Your information will be kept confidential as far as possible. However, information will be shared with other professional services if risks to yourself or others, including children, are identified.

Your GP (doctor) may be informed of your meeting with the team.

If you want to make a comment, suggestion, compliment or complaint you can:

We are always looking at ways to improve services. Your feedback allows us to monitor the quality of our services and act upon issues that you bring to our attention. 
You can provide feedback in the following ways:
- the quickest way for you to do this is to complete our short online survey at www.cntw.nhs.uk/yourvoice
- complete a Your Voice survey, available on wards, reception areas or from staff
- other options for sharing your feedback and experience  www.cntw.nhs.uk/yourfeedback
 
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
PALS provide confidential advice and support, helping you to sort out any concerns that you may have about any aspect of your or your loved ones care.

We act independently when handling patient and family concerns, liaising with staff, managers and, where appropriate, relevant organisations, to negotiate prompt solutions. If necessary, we can also refer patients and families to specific local or national-based support agencies.
 
North of Tyne
Telephone: 0800 032 0202
Email: pals@nhct.nhs.uk
Post: FREEPOST PALS
 
South of Tyne
Telephone: 0800 328 4397
Text: 07825 061 035
Email: pals@cntw.nhs.uk
Post: Patient Advice and Liaison Service, Garden Lodge, Hopewood Park, Ryhope, Sunderland, SR2 0NB
 
9am – 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday
An answerphone is available at all times for you to leave a message. A member of the PALS team will aim to return your call as soon as possible.
 

For information about our Trust Services, or general information about conditions and treatments and organisations offering support, please see our website: www.cntw.nhs.uk

The following has been advised:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Name of Service User:
Signed:
Name of staff:
Signed:
Date:

 

A safer place to be – October 2014
Care Quality Commission

Further information about the content, reference sources or production of this leaflet can be obtained from the Patient Information Centre. If you would like to tell us what you think about this leaflet please get in touch.

This information can be made available in a range of formats on request (eg Braille, audio, larger print, easy read, BSL or other languages). Please contact the Patient Information Centre on telephone 0191 246 7288

Published by the Patient Information Centre
2025 Copyright: Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
Ref: PIC/924/0125 January 2025 V1
Website: www.cntw.nhs.uk
Telephone: 0191 246 7288
Review date 2028