Yorkshire Ambulance Service appoint specialist mental health paramedics

The trust has said that paramedics specialising in mental health have been employed for the first time in the country, and the service will also double its number of dedicated mental health response vehicles from three to six.

Two new advanced paramedics specialising in mental health have started to work with YAS and specialist training has also been given to existing staff to help them to support patients.

In the last year, the dedicated mental health ambulances have responded to over 3,000 calls related to people in crisis.  In 61 per cent of cases, the crew was able to help the patient at home or within their community, meaning they did not need to attend A&E.

Lesley Butterworth, lead nurse in urgent care for the trust, said “We are delighted to implement this latest development in our programme to support people in mental health crisis.

“These exciting new advanced paramedic roles come ahead of recruitment to 15 specialist paramedic roles – a team that will help us provide the care and support people need, however they access our services.”

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (jacquelinevance@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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