EEAST introducing new vehicles to help patients in Norfolk, Waveney and Essex in mental health need
They have fewer fluorescent markings and a less clinical interior designed to help put patients at ease
The East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) is introducing new electric vehicles which it hopes will help to better support patients in mental health crisis in Norfolk, Waveney and Essex.
The new Mental Health Response Vehicles (MHRVs) are designed for patients in mental health distress, with fewer fluorescent markings and a less clinical interior designed to help put patients at ease.
Paul Gates, Deputy Clinical Director for EEAST said: “The three new vehicles we have received are the first of twelve that will increase capacity for EEAST, ensuring patients with urgent and emergency mental health needs get specialist mental health care and support.
"These vehicles are designed to have soothing lighting and a comfortable interior that can help calm people experiencing mental health crisis.”
Over the next four months, the three vehicles will be rolled out across Norfolk and Waveney and mid and south Essex.
Funding for the vehicles follows successful pilots at EEAST of mental health response cars in partnership with its mental health providers.
In mid and south Essex, a pilot of mental health response cars in 2023/24 responded to 1,852 patients experiencing mental health crisis.
In 82% of these cases the intervention resulted in the patient not requiring transport to an Emergency Department.
Successful pilots have also been run in Norfolk, Waveney, Suffolk and north-east Essex.
"It is essential to make sure people get the right care"
Alfred Bandakpara, Deputy Director for Mental Health at NHS Mid and South Essex, said:
“When at breaking point, it is essential to make sure people get the right care, quickly, from the right people.
"I am delighted that we are able to build on and strengthen existing mental health crisis support services through investment in these new vehicles.
"Thanks to the hard work of all those involved, we will continue improve the patient experience and make a real difference in our communities.”
Each MHRV will provide 12-hour coverage, based on peak times of demand and will respond to urgent and emergency mental health calls that come via 999 to the police or ambulance service.