POLICE, councils, charities, the NHS and other organisations across Worcestershire and the surrounding area have teamed up to improve mental health care in the region.

The Mental Health Concordat sets out frameworks for agencies to work together to help people suffering from psychological problems and has been signed by organisations across West Mercia and Warwickshire.

It is hoped the declaration, which has been signed by organisations such as West Mercia Police, county and district councils, NHS organisations and mental health charities including Mind, will mean people in crisis will get the care they need no matter where they turn for help.

West Mercia’s Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Barrie Sheldon welcomed the agreement, calling it “a very worthwhile step forward”.

“The sort of issue we’ve seen for some time was that, for example, people with mental health issues were being transported in police cars or taken into police cells rather than being taken to a proper place of safety.

“The first priority here is to make sure that in the future those people with mental health needs are looked after by mental health experts from the outset, rather than the police or any other agencies who just aren’t specialists in that particular field.”

He added the agreement would also help free up police time, allowing officers to focus on other areas.

As part of the agreement a local Mental Health Governance Board has been set up, with its first meeting to be held today, Wednesday, December 17, at West Mercia Police’s headquarters in Hindlip. The board will work together to create action plans for the two areas, which will be published in spring 2015.

Other areas included in the agreement include improving training for people who come into contact with people suffering from psychological problems, consultations with those who have used services to identify areas for improvement and improving services for children with mental health issues.

Head of protecting vulnerable people for Warwickshire and West Mercia Police Superintendent Stephen Eccleston said: “Everybody who has signed this declaration will work towards developing good practice, raising standards and strengthening partnership arrangements that will ultimately put mental health on a par with physical health”.

Police have also pledged to ensure people are only taken to police stations in exceptional circumstances.

To view the Mental Health Concordat visit www.crisiscareconcordat.org.uk.