College of Paramedics evidence into mental health care and policing

Earlier this year the College of Paramedics undertook a survey to support our submission in response to a Home Affairs Committee inquiry into Mental Health Policing. This was a wide-scoping review engaging with multiple stakeholder organisations. It is widely recognised and understood that historically and currently, paramedics are the first contact point for patients with mental health episodes, and therefore it was important to us that the role of the paramedic was understood and was part of this inquiry. There are various emerging developments around the country seeing paramedics working collaboratively with mental health services and police in some areas providing street triage teams. Elsewhere, paramedics are working alongside mental health practitioners, and jointly providing enabled care in the system.

A survey of the membership of the College of Paramedics indicated that paramedics across the country do not feel that they currently have the necessary skills and knowledge to meet the needs of mental health patients and that the services set up to help them (both patients and service providers) are not effective. The survey results are summarised in Box 1.