Costs of the police service and mental healthcare pathways experienced by individuals with enduring mental health needs

TY - JOUR

T1 - Costs of the police service and mental healthcare pathways experienced by individuals with enduring mental health needs

AU - Heslin, Margaret

AU - Callaghan, Lynne

AU - Barrett, Barbara

AU - Lea, Susan

AU - Eick, Susan

AU - Morgan, John

AU - Bolt, Mark

AU - Thornicroft, Graham

AU - Rose, Diana

AU - Healey, Andrew

AU - Patel, Anita

PY - 2017/2/1

Y1 - 2017/2/1

N2 - Background Substantial policy, communication and operational gaps exist between mental health services and the police for individuals with enduring mental health needs. Aims To map and cost pathways through mental health and police services, and to model the cost impact of implementing key policy recommendations. Method Within a case-linkage study, we estimated 1-year individuallevel healthcare and policing costs. Using decision modelling, we then estimated the potential impact on costs of three recommended service enhancements: street triage, Mental Health Act assessments for all Section 136 detainees and outreach custody link workers. Results Under current care, average 1-year mental health and police costs were £10 812 and £4552 per individual respectively (n = 55). The cost per police incident was £522. Models suggested that each service enhancement would alter per incident costs by between 78% and +6%. Conclusions Recommended enhancements to care pathways only marginally increase individual-level costs.

AB - Background Substantial policy, communication and operational gaps exist between mental health services and the police for individuals with enduring mental health needs. Aims To map and cost pathways through mental health and police services, and to model the cost impact of implementing key policy recommendations. Method Within a case-linkage study, we estimated 1-year individuallevel healthcare and policing costs. Using decision modelling, we then estimated the potential impact on costs of three recommended service enhancements: street triage, Mental Health Act assessments for all Section 136 detainees and outreach custody link workers. Results Under current care, average 1-year mental health and police costs were £10 812 and £4552 per individual respectively (n = 55). The cost per police incident was £522. Models suggested that each service enhancement would alter per incident costs by between 78% and +6%. Conclusions Recommended enhancements to care pathways only marginally increase individual-level costs.

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85013766105

U2 - 10.1192/bjp.bp.114.159129

DO - 10.1192/bjp.bp.114.159129

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85013766105

SN - 0007-1250

VL - 210

SP - 157

EP - 164

JO - British Journal of Psychiatry

JF - British Journal of Psychiatry

IS - 2

ER -