Mental Health Partnership Delivery Group: collaborative commitments plan

Improved Transfer of Mental Health Care

A key feature of workshop discussions during early development of the Framework for Collaboration and supporting collaborative commitments was a view that current models for transfer / handover of care between agencies wasn’t working as well as it could be. As can be seen from the practice examples provided in the FfC, there are models of delivery in some areas, but this is not consistent and equitable for all areas. The FfC and our collaborative commitments aims to encourage the establishment of good practice in all areas across Scotland, recognising that what works well in one area won’t necessarily work in another but the principles could be replicated.

Following the local and national improvements to the unscheduled mental health care pathways across Scotland, all Boards have a mental health clinician available 24/7 for anyone requiring urgent specialist mental health assessment or urgent referral to local mental health services. In most Health Boards, Police Scotland and the Scottish Ambulance Service will now have consistent access to clinical advice on the best care outcome for the individual which will improve, where appropriate, the transfer of care to clinicians.

Through the Mental Health Unscheduled Care Network, the Scottish Government developed a digital reference guide called the Mental Health Index setting out the 24/7 access arrangements to the Mental Health Unscheduled Care Clinicians; this document acts as a community triage guide and will be quality assured on a six-monthly basis.

3. We will develop and deliver an effective handover process for transfer of care in emergency/clinical settings.

What will this do?

• Ensure individuals in distress/crisis receive a person centred, trauma informed response.


• Improve current procedures in place for both SAS and Police.


• Build confidence in frontline staff.

Who will lead?

• NHS Boards.


• SAS.


• Police Scotland.

When will we do it by?

• December 2025.

4. We will develop and implement a model that allows for direct interaction between ambulance crew, police officers and NHS 24 Mental Health Hub when engaging with people in mental health distress (not meeting the triage threshold). Ensuring the on-going support to a person in distress by the right service at the right time.

What will this do?

• Facilitates Police Scotland and NHS 24 input to the Warm Handover process.


• Provide joint and trauma informed response to those in distress/crisis from most appropriate agency.


• Improve confidence in transfer of care arrangements.

Who will lead?

• NHS 24.


• SAS.


• Police Scotland.

When will we do it by?

• Develop 2025 and implement during 2026.

5. We will implement the consistent use of the Community Triage Guide (also known as the Mental Health Index) across the Scottish Ambulance Service and Police Scotland, ensuring they can effectively access professional-to-professional advice and support from mental health clinicians.

What will this do?

• Consistent access to clinical advice to support individuals to access the right care at the right time.


• All professionals involved have confidence in transfer of care.


• Police Officers are able to return to policing duties in a timely manner.


• Ambulance Crews are able to respond to other calls that require a timely response.

Who will lead?

• MHUCN.

When will we do it by?

• Continuation of ongoing work during 2025.

6. We will review the Psychiatric Emergency Plans (PEPs).

What will this do?

• Improved consistency of PEPs across the 14 Health Boards.


• Align recommendations from HMICS and Mental Welfare Commission as appropriate.


• Clearly articulate roles and responsibilities for each agency involved in responding to and managing a mental health crisis.


• Ensure a person-centred and human-rights based approach in responding to mental health emergencies.

Who will lead?

• Scottish Government, supported by the MHUCN.

When will we do it by?

• Completed December 2024.

7. Upon completion of the Review, we will develop and publish national guidance and a template for Psychiatric Emergency Plans.

What will this do?

• Provide guidance and a template Psychiatric Emergency Plan for use by the 14 Health Boards to ensure consistency and ease of use.

Who will lead?

• Scottish Government.

When will we do it by?

• Summer 2025.

8. We will scope and explore opportunities to work in collaboration around High Intensity Users (HIU)/Complex Needs to develop partnership processes ensuring the public are supported by the most appropriate organisation.

What will this do?

• Support Police Scotland, NHS 24, SAS, British Transport Police and other stakeholders/partners to assess data and thereafter develop and embed processes, both internal and cross-agency, which ensure those who regularly contact unscheduled care services are appropriately supported in line with care/management plans.

Who will lead?

• SAS, NHS 24, Police Scotland, British Transport Police and Scottish Government).

When will we do it by?

• Scoping work to be undertaken in 2025, with potential outputs to be implemented at a later stage.

9. We will scope and explore opportunities to improve and strengthen links between the Mental Health Unscheduled Care, Adult Support and Protection, and Public Protection policies.

What will this do?

• Identify improvements to support a whole-system approach to mental health and wellbeing.

Who will lead?

• Scottish Government.

When will we do it by?

• Lead-in work to commence in 2025.