Dorset Police has announced a partnership with health providers to ensure people receive the help they need.

The police service will be working with the NHS, social care providers and other partnership agencies to ensure people in crisis are responded to and supported by the appropriate agency in a timely manner so they receive the best care.

The partnership falls within the principles of Right Care Right Person (RCRP) initiative. This is an approach designed to ensure that people of all ages, who have health and/or social care needs, are responded to by the right person, with the right skills, training, and experience to best meet their needs.

It is now being adopted in areas across the county following a successful trial in Humberside which saved an average of around 1,400 hours per month. 

READ MORE: Plans to cut back on police attending mental health callouts

RCRP will not stop Dorset Police’s immediate response to attend incidents where there is a threat to life.

Jenni Douglas-Todd, chair of the Our Dorset Integrated Care System (ICS), said: “Mental health is as important as physical health and as such we should be ensuring the right care is available when people need support.

“The Right Care Right Person approach will mean that people who may otherwise seek help from Dorset Police in times of crisis are directed to a more appropriate service.

“There are many ways people can get help for their mental health, from low-level support for times when they are feeling down, through to focussed care in times of a crisis, and I encourage people to find out more about the help that is available, such as calling the Connections service on 0800 652 0190.”