Our Psychiatric Liaison Nursing Service (PLNS) was named the winners of the Policing Partner of the Year and Outstanding External Partner at Police Scotland’s Chief Constable’s Bravery and Excellence awards at Tulliallan.
Both awards were a result of the team’s outstanding work with the community triage service (CTS), which provides phone advice, liaison and mental health assessments to police officers.
Susan Cochrane, service manager, Mental Health & Learning Disabilities, said: “The team is making a hugely positive impact in ensuring some of our most vulnerable patients are receiving the right care in the right place.
“This crucial service assisted Police Officers who were in contact with people in a potential mental health crisis to access immediate care and support. This has led to an 81% reduction in police attending our three Emergency Departments with people who are experiencing a mental health crisis.
“Every single one of the team is absolutely committed to making sure that not only do police have access to their expert guidance, but that people who may be in crisis receive the best, and most appropriate, care for them at that time.
“Knowing how hard the team works, I’m delighted that they won two major categories at the awards. This is exceptionally well deserved and a powerful acknowledgement of the difference they are making in people lives.”
The community police triage model was first introduced in 2018, and following close partnership working with the PLNS team, a new improved process was fully implemented in June 2023.
The team’s work has been recognised as exemplary and the team is collaborating with Scottish Government colleagues to share learning and best practice across health boards.
At this month’s Staff Awards, it was further gold for the team as they took home the top honour in the Collaboration category. This win highlights their exceptional ability to work across complex healthcare issues to reduce mental health presentations to ED brought in by Police. They key to the team’s success is providing a 24/7 community triage service to police officers, NHS24 and the Scottish Ambulance Service.
Commenting on this latest award, Claire Rae, chief officer of University Health & Social Care North Lanarkshire, said: “I’m delighted the team’s exceptional dedication, professionalism, and commitment to delivering outstanding care to some of our most vulnerable residents has been recognised.
“Their achievement in winning the Collaboration award perfectly exemplifies the core values we strive for at University Health & Social Care North Lanarkshire.
“The team’s success is a shining example of what we can achieve through integration and teamwork. It demonstrates how fostering close collaboration can lead to improved patient care, more efficient use of resources, and better overall health outcomes for our community.”
