Severely mentally ill patients are being kept in police cells and transported in officers’ caged vans in a “dangerous and undesirable” situation in Sutton, police and politicians warned.
Cops are forced to take care of vulnerable patients who are deemed to be at risk of harming themselves or others after an NHS trust axed a vital assessment service.
South West London and St George’s Mental Health Trust axed the section 136 assessment unit at Chiltern Wing in Sutton Hospital.
MPs Paul Burstow and Tom Brake said the unit would have alleviated pressure on Sutton police who are currently forced to transport mentally ill patients in caged police vans for assessment at Tolworth Hospital, Surbiton.
Mr Brake said the “distressing” journey was unsuitable for patients and their condition could be exacerbated if there was no availability at Tolworth and police are forced to hold them in cells.
Sutton police superintendent Warren Shadbolt said in the meantime the current situation was “dangerous and undesirable”.
Mr Burstow said treating people suffering from mentally illnesses like criminals was unacceptable.
He said: “To understand what this experience is like I’ve sat in the back of one of these vans.
“Even with the doors open it felt claustrophobic, let alone if I was seriously ill and distressed.
“If this continues there could be a serious incident either in a van or in custody. People need beds not cells.”
Under section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983, police officers can detain people who are in a public place, believed to have a mental disorder and are at risk of harming themselves or others.
They can then take them to a place of safety such as a hospital or police station for assessment.
A spokeswoman for South West London and St George’s Mental Health Trust said two additional section 136 suites would be opened in the future at Springfield Hospital.
She said: “The trust stopped using Sutton Hospital as a section 136 place of safety in 2007 for safety reasons.
“This was due to two considerations; the number of qualified staff with the right skills; and the staffing levels available on a small site to manage the unpredictable situations out of ‘normal hours’ that a Section 136 often presents.
“This remains an issue for the police and the local MPs, as there is no longer a dedicated ‘place of safety’ in section 136 terms within Sutton.
“The trust, primary care trust, London Ambulance Service, local authority and the police will be reviewing the current protocol and working practice.”
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