Minutes:
The Panel received a presentation from Supt Weir on work being undertaken within the force around issues of mental health and learning disabilities (for copy of slides see file of Minutes).
Councillor Foster asked whether the force had contacted Mencap or other voluntary groups as part of the ongoing work. Supt Weir replied that when people were detained under s136 Mental Health Act their mental health needs must be assessed by an appropriately trained adult, and that this was a specific assessment.
Councillor Boyes informed the Panel that information sharing between agencies was often an issue when dealing with areas such as mental health and learning disabilities. Many organisations were reluctant to share information and often information sharing protocols allowed the passing of timely information between agencies. Supt Weir replied that a key issue was health, and that health teams were now being put into custody areas. Work was ongoing to establish an information sharing protocol.
Resolved:
That the presentation be noted and an update report be brought to a future Panel meeting.