Heavyweight visit to promote crisis care

Frank Bruno at Oxleas House

Former world champion boxer and mental health campaigner Frank Bruno accompanied Minister of State for Care and Support, Norman Lamb, on a visit to Oxleas House in Greenwich on Monday as he prepared to launch an agreement to improve crisis care across the country.

The duo were also joined by Commander Christine Jones from the Metropolitan Police. They spent time talking to staff about crisis care services and went on a tour of the building.

Jackie Waghorn, Mental Health Liaison and Home Treatment Team Manager, showing Care and Support Minister Norman Lamb and Frank Bruno around Oxleas House
Jackie Waghorn, Mental Health Liaison and Home Treatment Team Manager, shows Minister of State for Care and Support, Norman Lamb and Frank Bruno around Oxleas House

The Mental Health Crisis Care Concordat is an agreement between more than 20 national organisations including NHS England, the Association of Chief Police Officers and The Royal College of Psychiatrists. It describes how police, mental health, social work and ambulance services should work together to help people going through a mental health crisis to ensure that they receive the care they need quickly and compassionately.

Norman Lamb said: “The NHS and police already work well together in some areas, but it is totally unacceptable that crisis mental health care is so variable across the country. It is imperative that all areas seek to implement the principles of the Concordat as quickly as possible to ensure consistent care, no matter where you live.”

Dave Mellish, our Chair and Chair of the pan-London Mental Health Partnership Board said: “Monday's visit is recognition of the good work we are doing with the local police and other partners in Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich to ensure people experiencing a mental health crisis receive the right level of care in the right place.” 

Dave Mellish (left) welcomes Frank Bruno with Commander Christine Jones
Dave Mellish (left) welcomes Frank Bruno with Commander Christine Jones

The main aims of the Concordat are to:

  • Ensure that people in a mental health crisis can access mental health services 24 hours a day
  • Reduce the number of people experiencing crisis through preventative and early intervention services
  •  Make sure that police custody isn’t used in place of health services and that police vehicles are not used to transfer patients. 
Minister Norman Lamb and Frank Bruno talk about crisis care with our Chief Executive Stephen Firn
Frank Bruno discusses crisis care with Care and Support Minister Norman Lamb and our Chief Executive Stephen Firn

Published on 19th February 2014