A scheme to improve care for residents experiencing a mental health crisis has been rolled out in two further boroughs following its success in Oldham.

The mental health joint response service, which sees both a clinician from Pennine Care and a police officer jointly attend incidents where the person is experiencing a mental health crisis, is now running in Stockport and Rochdale after initially launching in Oldham in February.

The service aims to ensure only people with the most complex needs are taken to 136 suites - hospital-based places of safety for someone who needs urgent mental health care.

Since January, 450 people have been supported across Oldham, Tameside and Bury and 155 people avoided being admitted to a 136 suite, with only 18 admissions.

The service runs from 3pm to 1am in Oldham, which is when GMP receives the highest number of mental health crisis calls in the borough.

Commenting on the scheme in March, GMP’S chief inspector for Oldham, Ric Warden, said: “The pilot scheme will enable us to offer a better service to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.

“Working with Pennine Care clinicians and the North West Ambulance Service, at the first response ensures that the person is given qualified mental health care from the start. It’ll help to tackle an issue we see on a daily basis, and we’re pleased to see it’s already making a real difference."

People of any age who need mental health advice or support can phone Pennine Care’s 24/7 helpline on 0800 014 9995.