New protocol launched to help people in crisis in Brampton

Published October 20, 2020 at 6:00 pm

Today (October 20), a new protocol developed by local police and health care partners will launch to benefit patients as well as impact delivery of services by the partner organizations in a positive way.

The Peel Region Police-Hospital Transfer Protocol is an agreement between William Osler Health System (Osler), Peel Regional Police, Peel Regional Paramedic Services, Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Peel Dufferin Branch and Ontario Provincial Police Caledon Detachment.

The Peel Region Police-Hospital Transfer Protocol outlines the steps each organization will take to support persons who are experiencing mental health or addictions-related crisis when accompanied to Osler’s Emergency Departments by police under the Mental Health Act.

Additionally, this agreement enhances collaboration and coordination among the partners to improve the overall experience of patients, hospital, police and paramedic staff.

It supports the health and safety of those involved when patients are transferred from police care to hospital workers, while promoting public safety.

The Protocol’s implemented procedures and practices also aim to reduce police wait times in Osler’s Emergency Departments by enabling a faster transfer of patients, leading to more effective use of police and hospital resources.

“This Protocol will allow us all to work together to better assist persons in crisis while using our resources more effectively,” says Chief Nishan Duraiappah, Peel Regional Police.

“Peel Regional Police is proud to implement a Protocol that is based on best practices associated with mental health, human rights, policing and privacy.”

It will also help to connect people experiencing a crisis with the appropriate community mental health and addictions services and support improved outcomes after they transition out of the hospital.

“Osler provides care to a growing number of patients who are experiencing mental health and addictions-related crisis, and by developing a more collaborative approach to care delivery we can better serve these patients and enable easier access to the supports they may need after they leave our hospitals,” says Dr. Naveed Mohammad, President & CEO, William Osler Health System.

“Through our collective efforts, we are proud to develop a protocol that will help address stigma and misperceptions about people living with mental illness and addiction.”

Partners are building upon the work that has already been undertaken through creation of the protocol, which will enhance the delivery of mental health and addictions services in the Region at hospital and community levels.

Earlier this year, Peel Regional Police (PRP) and CMHA Peel Dufferin Branch partnered to launch the Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team (MCRRT) program, which pairs police officers and crisis workers to respond to mental health emergencies reported through 911 calls.

Crisis workers are able to provide an on-site assessment of the client through this initiative and are able to refer that person to community-based services rather than transporting them to an Emergency Department.

“This new Protocol is a positive step in reducing the role of police in providing a health care response and improves the experience of people needing mental health support. It complements the work of our Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team program, which has led to a decrease in police apprehension rates from 70% to 24% when a crisis worker is present,” said David Smith, CEO, Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Peel Dufferin.

“We are very proud to be involved in this partnership to improve mental health care.”

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