10 Jul 2008

Psychiatric nurses placed in police stations

6:31 pm on 10 July 2008

Psychiatric nurses have been placed at police stations as part of a new mental health initiative in Christchurch and Counties-Manukau.

The pilot programme has been organised by police and the Ministry of Health.

Police say they are often the first agency to have contact with people with mental health and drug or alcohol issues, and the assistance of specialist nurses will be ideal.

The scheme has been in operation in Christchurch since last month. Senior Sergeant Steve King says 108 people have been seen by the nurses there.

"A lot of people with mental issues and alcohol and drug issues were coming through our watchhouses, and this was seen as a really good grassroots place to get in to see those people when they're in a time of crisis. We can get a timely and proactive intervention to deal with them and assist them."

One of the nurses at Christchurch police station, Steve Howie, says nurses are picking up people's mental health issues that were probably "slipping through the cracks" in the previous system.