Patient safety is paramount and the clinician receiving the call should check the following with the Police officer:

• Has the patient reported, or suspected of having taken, an overdose or self-poisoned?
• Does the patient have an injury that requires urgent medical attention?
• Is the patient in a state of intoxication that would make interviewing them impossible?

• If the answer to any of the above questions is yes, the patient must proceed to the ED.
• Mental Health assessment will take place when the patient is physically well enough.
• Intoxicated patients may also have underlying health conditions which need urgent treatment.

The clinician should ask to speak with the patient on the telephone, providing none of the above risks are reported by the police officer.

During the telephone call:

• It is essential that the clinician revisits the risks above,  as the patient may conceal injury or self-poisoning from Police.
• The clinician should access the patient records on Care Partner.
• The clinician should assess:
  • Does the patient need an emergency mental health assessment?
  • Is the patient safe to continue with the police?
  • Does the patient need follow up by community services?

• Notes of the telephone call should be recorded on Care Partner and activity logged through TrakCare.
• Patients requiring emergency mental health assessment will be escorted the to the Mental Health Unit.
• Police will wait with the patient until the consultation is completed.
• The clinician agreeing to the assessment will arrange with the Police officer the best place to report to (normally this will be the Mental Health Reception) and where to wait.
• When Police arrive they must be given a PIT Alarm before being shown to an appropriate place to await assessment.