Cumbria Constabulary is adopting a new operating model which will ensure that those in need of specialist support receive the help they need from the agency best placed to provide that support.

Right Care, Right Person (RCRP) is about ensuring that people in need of specialist help receive that help from the right organisation – whether that is the police or a partner agency.

The new model will come into effect in Cumbria for adults only from 14th May 2024. The changes will relate to call to service regarding:

• Concerns for the welfare of a person including people who have walked out of a healthcare setting
• People who are absent without authorised leave from mental health services
• Medical incidents

If someone contacts us about concerns for the welfare of a person including people who have walked out of a healthcare setting, people who are absent without authorised leave from mental health services or any other medical incident, they will be advised to contact the appropriate organisation.

What will not change is our response to a call for service where there is a risk to life or of serious harm to a person or a crime is involved or it involves a child, whether that’s to the person in crisis themselves or other people.  This will save in excess of 100 police deployments a week that can now be used to focus more on core policing matters.

Detective Superintendent Dan St Quintin said: “We are positive and enthusiastic regarding the beneficial effects this change will have for the public and are working hard to ensure it is implemented as effectively as possible here in Cumbria.

“We have worked very closely with partner agencies since July last year on implementing the new operating model with the goal of making the transition as smooth as possible.

“Whilst the new model changes our approach to some calls for service, it does not impact our response to incidents where there is a risk to life or of serious harm to a person, whether that’s to the person in crisis themselves or other people.”

As well as ensuring the correct agency and the best-trained individuals are able to respond to the appropriate calls for services, the adoption of RCRP is also expected to free up many officer hours per year, allowing the Constabulary to focus on the core police issues they are trained for, such as preventing and investigating crime, catching criminals and supporting victims.

Det Supt St Quintin said: “The time our officers currently spend responding to health incidents is significant and that, inevitably, impacts on our resources and our ability to respond to crime and other issues which are priorities for the public.

“We have a duty to prevent and investigate crime and to keep people safe and RCRP will help us to balance those duties more effectively.

“However, I must stress that we are not stepping away from all health-related or concern for welfare incidents and will always attend where there is a threat to life or serious harm to both an individual, or others around them.”

Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen said: “It’s incredibly important that those in need are provided with the right care.

“I’m pleased that the public turn to the Police for help, as they should. However, in situations where there is no immediate or direct threat, the Police may not be the best organisation to attend.

“We want our Police Officers in the community, helping victims and catching criminals and the Right Care, Right Person model allows them to do this more efficiently.

“I look forward to seeing this model develop and the positive outcomes I’m sure it will produce for Policing and partner organisations.”

Cumbria Constabulary has been working with partner agencies since July 2023 to ensure Right Care Right Person is implemented as effectively as possible in Cumbria.

Fleur Carney, Director Mental Health, Cancer and Cancer Alliance Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB said: “We have been working closely with Cumbria Police and other partners across the county in support of the implementation of Right Care Right Person.

“It is essential that people across Cumbria are able to access the correct support from suitably trained professionals when they need it. We will continue to work collaboratively with our colleagues in Cumbria Police.”

Levi Buckley, Chief Delivery Officer at NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “The police have a vital role to play, but there are times when a different service is better placed to meet a person’s needs. Right Care Right Person means we can identify the most appropriate service to provide care on each occasion, and be more responsive to each person’s mental health needs.

“The different partner agencies have planned this change with great care, to make sure that people across the county get the support they need, from the people best qualified and trained to provide it.”

If you, or someone you know, is experiencing a mental health crisis, call NHS 111 and select option 2 for 24/7 access to urgent mental health support.

If you have difficulties communicating or hearing, you can call 18001 111 using the Relay UK app, or go to signvideo.co.uk/nhs111 for the British Sign Language interpreter service.

If you or someone else has physically harmed themselves, or if someone’s life is at risk, call 999 or go to A&E.