Street Triage – Information Leaflet
The Street Triage Teams work across the Trust and aim to improve access to mental health services and avoid preventable detentions when using section 136 of the Mental Health Act.

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Street triage - Information leaflet
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Introduction
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust are working with Northumbria Police and Cumbria Constabulary to improve care for people experiencing mental health issues who come into contact with the Police.
The Street Triage Teams operate across Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, Sunderland, South Tyneside, Gateshead and East Cumbria areas.
The teams aim to improve access to mental health services and avoid preventable detentions when using section 136 of the Mental Health Act.
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What is section 136?
Section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983 provides a police officer with the power to remove someone found in places other than dwellings who, in the officers opinion:
• has a mental health condition
• is in need of care or control
• requires a place of safety for their own interests or for the protection of others.If you are placed on a Section 136 police work together with mental health services to share information and ensure that you are taken to a place of safety. You will be supported by a mental health nurse while you wait to be assessed by two doctors and an approved mental health professional.
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How we will work with you
The team of nurses and police officers are based in Sunderland, Newcastle and Carlisle, and work seven days a week to ensure those who come into contact with the police receive a high quality, effective service and are able to signpost to support services.
You will be seen by a mental health nurse in an appropriate place, this could be your home, police station or a street triage vehicle.
With your consent the service contacts other professionals who are involved with you and can provide an assessment of your mental health or learning disability needs.
Staff can also arrange a referral to a community mental health team, crisis team or provide self-referral information to drug and alcohol services, talking therapies or other community resources.
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Sharing information
Your information will be kept confidential as far as possible. However, information will be shared with other professional services if risks to yourself or others, including children, are identified.
Your GP (doctor) may be informed of your meeting with the team.
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How to make a comment, suggestion, compliment or complaint
If you want to make a comment, suggestion, compliment or complaint you can:
- talk to the people directly involved in your care
- ask a member of staff for a feedback form, or complete a form on the Trust website
- telephone the Complaints Department on 0191 245 6672
- email [email protected]. Please note that information sent to the Trust via email is sent at your own risk
We are always looking at ways to improve services. Your feedback allows us to monitor the quality of our services and act upon issues that you bring to our attention. You can provide feedback in the following ways:
- the quickest way for you to do this is to complete our short online survey at www.cntw.nhs.uk/yourvoice
- complete a Your Voice survey, available on wards, reception areas or from staff
- other options for sharing your feedback and experience www.cntw.nhs.uk/yourfeedback
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
PALS provide confidential advice and support, helping you to sort out any concerns that you may have about any aspect of your or your loved ones care.We act independently when handling patient and family concerns, liaising with staff, managers and, where appropriate, relevant organisations, to negotiate prompt solutions. If necessary, we can also refer patients and families to specific local or national-based support agencies.
North of Tyne
Telephone: 0800 032 0202
Email: [email protected]
Post: FREEPOST PALSSouth of Tyne
Telephone: 0800 328 4397
Text: 07825 061 035
Email: [email protected]
Post: Patient Advice and Liaison Service, Garden Lodge, Hopewood Park, Ryhope, Sunderland, SR2 0NB9am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday
An answerphone is available at all times for you to leave a message. A member of the PALS team will aim to return your call as soon as possible.
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Further information
For information about our Trust Services, or general information about conditions and treatments and organisations offering support, please see our website: www.cntw.nhs.uk
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Agreed plan/ advice given
The following has been advised
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Name of Staff ________________________________________________________________
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Date _____________________
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Reference
A safer place to be – October 2014
Care Quality Commission -
Information about content, other formats and version control
Further information about the content, reference sources or production of this leaflet can be obtained from the Patient Information Centre. If you would like to tell us what you think about this leaflet please get in touch.
This information can be made available in a range of formats on request (Braille, audio, larger print, easy read, BSL or other languages). Please contact the Patient Information Centre on 0191 246 7288.
Published by the Patient Information Centre
2021 Copyright: Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation TrustRef: PIC/763/1221 December 2021 V4
Website: www.cntw.nhs.uk
Telephone: 0191 246 7288Review date 2024