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Developing a Course for Mental Health Crisis Response Training
6th November 2009

In 2003 the Remote and Rural Areas Resource Initiative (RARARI) published ‘Recommendations for the safe management of acutely disturbed psychiatric patients in Scotland’s remote and rural areas’, also known as Bid 79.(1) Several of the recommendations of this report have been included in ‘Delivering for Remote and Rural Health Care'.(2)

The Remote and Rural Health and Educational Alliance (RRHEAL) is designing a course for remote and rural practitioners that would give them the necessary skills to manage a mental health crisis in line with the recommendations of their local Psychiatric Emergency Plan.

The vast majority of mental health care and treatment is delivered by specialist mental health teams working in the community. The requirement for an admission, following an acute crisis, is very rare. However, when it does happen, it is very stressful for all involved. In particular, a mental health crisis can threaten to overwhelm the limited resources within health and related services in remote and rural areas. Consequently these situations may present a significant risk to patients, relatives, carers, staff and the community.

RRHEAL, BASICS and the Clinical Skills Alliance are working together to develop a course which will enhance the competence and confidence of those NHS staff working in remote and rural areas who are required to respond locally and safely until definitive treatment is available.

To contribute to the ongoing discussions around this or for more information, please contact Greg de Mello; RRHEAL project officer at greg.demello@nes.scot.nhs.uk.



References
(1) RARARI Bid 79. Recommendations for the safe management of acutely disturbed psychiatric patients in Scotland's remote and rural areas. .
(2) Scottish Government. Delivering for Remote and Rural Healthcare: the final report of the remote and rural work stream. May 2008.




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