RCRP is a national model which has been created to ensure we are working collaboratively with our partners in the health and social care sectors to effectively support and protect members of our communities, by providing the most appropriate responses to incidents linked to welfare, medical and social care issues.
Wendy Lowder, Executive Place Director, NHS South Yorkshire, said: “Its vital that we protect vulnerable people and ensure members of our community are receiving the right care and support from the right agency. We need to make sure that the most appropriate person is able to provide the right support and care to those who are vulnerable, and this is very often health and care staff. This new initiative will ensure that everything possible is done to support those who are vulnerable before support from the Police is requested.”
Assistant Chief Constable Dan Thorpe, South Yorkshire Police, said: “Where there are concerns for a person’s welfare linked to medical or social care issues, it is vital people receive the right support and care from the agency which has the right skills and training to provide this. The first phase of RCRP launched earlier this year and focused on reports relating to concerns for welfare. Prior to our adoption of this initiative, we provided internal training to our call handlers so they can better assess calls for service, understand what type of support individuals require and identify if the police are best able to provide this.
“As well as internal training, we’ve also worked with our partners in the health and social care sector to explain the principles of this initiative and the importance of the right care being provided by the right organisation. Based on the positive impact the first phase is having in ensuring we can better protect and support an individual’s welfare, we are now launching phase 2, which will focus on those who choose to leave certain healthcare facilities.
“In preparation for this phase, we have again been working with our partners to explain the services we can provide to protect vulnerable members of our communities who are reported as walking out from acute healthcare facilities and the legislative powers we have in relation to these types of incidents.
“Although this initiative brings a change in how we currently assess and respond to incidents linked to vulnerable people, I’d like to offer my reassurance that this doesn’t mean we won’t respond to incidents or provide help to those in need. Our number one priority remains keeping all members of our communities safe and we continue to work in collaboration with our partners and ensure vulnerable members of our communities receive the most appropriate type of support they need.”
