A pilot project that teamed up an officer with a psychiatrist, who can assess the mental health of people in their own home when responding to 911 calls, has been made permanent.
Ottawa Hospital psychiatrist Dr. Peter Boyle and two medical residents worked and rode along with four officers with the Ottawa police mental health unit in Canada’s capital.
The project is aimed at reducing the number of calls to police that result in people with mental-health issues either being sent to emergency rooms or being arrested.
“The doctor’s able to make sure we’re not bringing in the wrong people,” said Ottawa Staff Sgt. Dana Reynolds.
“So families and patients are receiving the best care in their own homes and in their own environments, where they have support,” said Reynolds.
More information:
CBC News – Program determined to be beneficial for hospitals, patients, police (story and video) – here
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