Right Care, Right Person, (RCRP), is a national partnership approach led by police services alongside ambulance services, hospitals, mental health services and social services.

It aims to ensure vulnerable people with health and social care needs are responded to by the most appropriate specialist service.

The model recognises that many people in mental health crisis will often see a police officer, who cannot provide the specialist care or support they need.

The approach was first adopted by Humberside Police and introduced by the Met in London in 2023.

The approach is being introduced across our region in the coming weeks with Kent and Sussex police services going live with the approach on 2 April 2024 and Surrey Police expected to follow later this quarter.

More information is available here:

National Partnership Agreement: Right Care, Right Person (RCRP) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

SECAmb has been working closely with police services and other partner organisations across its region ahead of the approach being introduced to ensure vulnerable people receive the specialist help they require.

To support the change, SECAmb will have a presence in police control rooms to support decision-making processes.

SECAmb Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr Richard Quirk said: “We have worked closely with our police services and other key partners including our mental health services ahead of the introduction of this approach.

“We already work together to respond to this vulnerable group of patients, but this approach formalises our close working relationship.

“I want to reassure the public that we will continue to be there for those who need us and will work with this approach to provide them with the help they require.

“Our police colleagues will continue to provide support to our teams out on the road if there is a clear threat to life or there is a clear need for police attendance.

“We will continue to work closely with all our partners as this approach develops to ensure people with mental health and social care needs receive the specialist care they require.

“Alongside our partners, we will closely monitor the impact of the changes and ensure we make any necessary improvements to patient care.”