In just over six months, the Derbyshire Mental Health Response Vehicle (MHRV) has helped transform care for patients in mental health crisis with over a 40% decrease in patients being taken to hospital, thanks to a dedicated team of East Midlands Ambulance Service paramedics working alongside mental health clinicians from Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
One of those paramedics is Teresa Shaw, based at Raynesway station. Prior to joining EMAS, Teresa worked in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), where her passion for mental health care began.
Teresa said:
“I’d kept up to date with the approaches other ambulance services were taking to improve mental health care within their trusts and how effective this was. When the role came out, I wanted to be a part of that change within EMAS.”
Teresa began a one year secondment on the MHRV in October 2024 when the service launched in Derbyshire. Operating between 4pm and midnight, the MHRV responds to 999 calls relating to mental health crises, attending approximately two to four patients per shift, depending on demand and complexity.
The vehicle is equipped with all the tools of a fast response vehicle, enabling the paramedic to carry out full physical health assessments and treatment before the mental health clinician begins their evaluation.
“If the patient is physically well and doesn’t require admission to the Emergency Department for further physical care, the clinician can work with them to create a tailored plan,” Teresa explained.
“This can include distraction and relaxation techniques, safety planning, signposting, and ensuring continuity of care with other services.”
By providing specialist support at the scene, the MHRV reduces the need for conveyance to busy emergency departments, which can be overwhelming and distressing for people in crisis.
“A vehicle like this is invaluable,” Teresa said. “It allows us to give care in a more comfortable environment for the patient and put the right support in place straight away.”
Since the service launch in November 2024, there has been a reduction in patient conveyance, with care provided in a more appropriate way.
In 2023 in Derbyshire, 55.25% of patients experiencing a mental health crisis attended by an ambulance were taken to A&E. In November 2024, where the MHRV attended a patient in a mental health crisis, just 12.28% of patients were then taken to A&E. Now six months on, the number of patients taken has decreased even more with just 11% of patients being taken to hospital.
Teresa hopes to see the service expand over the next six months.
“Currently we have one vehicle in Derby and one in Nottingham, covering specific areas. I’d love to see this rolled out to all divisions across the East Midlands so we can reach even more patients.”
She also wants to acknowledge the work of her former colleague Rhiannon Kenny, who played a key role in launching the MHRV before moving on from EMAS. “She was a big part of getting this off the ground, and I’m proud of what we achieved together,” Teresa said.
Earlier this year, the pair were recognised for their work on the Derbyshire Mental Health Response Vehicle at the annual Derbyshire Reward and Recognition event.
Helen Auld, Head of Mental Health at East Midlands Ambulance Service said:
“The positive impact that the MHRV services have had on patient outcomes and operational delivery demonstrates how important these holistic assessments are. I am so proud of all who work on the services and grateful for their dedication and commitment to ensuring our patients receive the right treatment in a timely manner via the appropriate pathways.”
Vikki Ashton Taylor, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Delivery Officer at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said:
“We are so pleased to be working with Teresa and other paramedics at EMAS on this important partnership project. The data suggests that the Mental Health Response Vehicle is making a really positive difference for people who are calling 999 in a mental health crisis. Sometimes A&E will be the right place for these individuals to go for help and treatment; when it’s not, our mental health clinicians can make sure they get the right care, in the right place, at the first time of asking.”
The MHRV in Derbyshire is part of a wider initiative between East Midlands Ambulance Service, Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, and local Integrated Care Boards, with support from NHS England. In line with our clinical strategy, the aim is to ensure patients experiencing a mental health crisis receive the right care in the right place at the right time without unnecessary admission to emergency departments. www.