A PARAMEDIC has joined a team working to help reduce the number of people detained under the Mental Health Act.

The Scarborough street triage team, run by Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust and North Yorkshire Police, has been joined by a paramedic on Friday and Saturday night shifts.

The team, which was set up in March, works to make sure that people who come into contact with the police, and who need mental health treatment, receive it as quickly as possible, and aren't unnecessarily detained.

Mental health nurses from the team attend police incidents in unmarked vehicles to carry out immediate assessments on anyone suspected of having a mental illness.

And a paramedic has now joined the street triage team to give immediate medical assessment and treatment if required.

Team manager Nicky Scott said: “Having a paramedic working with us is really enhancing the service and means the team can assess both the mental and physical health of someone we come into contact with.

“We can also help them access the right kind of help - whether it be social, emotional or physical - quickly.”