Police presence in medical institutions creates a barrier to people seeking help and can lead to the criminalisation of mental illness, argues Mashal Iftikhar
In May 2023 the Metropolitan Police commissioner, Mark Rowley, wrote a letter to health and social care services announcing the Metropolitan Police’s withdrawal from 999 calls related to mental health incidents from 31 October this year. Rowley said that patients were being failed by the process of sending police officers instead of medical professionals to people in a mental health crisis1 and I couldn’t agree more.
At present, police officers possess unique legal powers under the Mental Health Act. These enable them to transport someone in a state of mental health crisis to a place of safety for assessment by a mental health professional. Although this represents only one facet of police involvement in mental health services, it’s by far the greatest form of police presence that our patients experience.
As a trainee p
It has never been more important to ensure doctors in training feel supported. Abi Rimmer hears from four experts on how to achieve this
Anna Melvin, postdoctoral research fellow for Care Under Pressure 3, University of Exeter, says, “Life as a trainee can be challenging, with unfamiliar working environments, inadequate inductions, continuous assessment and examinations, relocations or long commutes, and a lack of belonging. Therefore, trainees often feel undervalued, lacking control, and disillusioned with medicine, especially in the context of the long journey to being a doctor.
“All of this affects their wellbeing, learning, career choices, and retention. Life can be made better for trainees in many ways, but key is creating a sense of connection.
“Connection means positive working relationships and a sense of belonging to a team. It is an important psychological nutrient for human wellbeing and growth when trainees feel known and valued, their wellbeing and learning are su