Published on: 23 January 2025
A new Mental Health Response Vehicle has been introduced into the EMAS ambulance fleet, based in Derbyshire, to further ensure that people get the right mental health support at the right place and right time. 
The vehicle is crewed with an EMAS paramedic and mental health clinician from Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
The vehicle will predominantly be dispatched to mental health incidents between 4pm – 12am in Derbyshire, seven days a week.
Mental health incidents are currently the reason for the fourth largest on scene attendance for EMAS. It can be challenging for people who are in mental health crisis to get the correct support ‘on the spot’, without first being taken to A&E.
This important development is thanks to a partnership between Derbyshire Healthcare, East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS), and Derby and Derbyshire’s Integrated Care Board, with support from NHS England. The aim is to reduce avoidable conveyance to emergency departments and for care to be delivered in accordance with patient needs.
Since the service launch in November 2024, we have seen a reduction in patient conveyance, with care provided in a more appropriate way.
In 2023 in Derbyshire, 55.25% of patients experiencing a mental health crisis attended by an ambulance were taken to A&E. In November 2024, where the MHRV attended a patient in a mental health crisis, just 12.28% of patients were then taken to A&E.
Vikki Ashton Taylor, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Delivery Officer at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are very pleased to be working in partnership with East Midlands Ambulance Service on this important project.
“As the main provider of NHS mental health services in Derbyshire, we want to ensure that local people who are struggling with their mental health receive support that is timely and suited to their needs. Sometimes that may mean going to hospital, but on other occasions there may be better options closer to home – and that’s what our skilled team in the mental health response vehicle will be able to determine.”
James Smith, Emergency Operations Centre and 999 Mental Health Lead at East Midlands Ambulance Service said: “The Mental Health Response Vehicle represents a significant step forward in providing timely and appropriate care to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. Emergency departments are not always the most suitable setting for mental health emergencies.
“This service allows us to deliver the right help quickly and, in an environment, better suited to each patient's needs. Our paramedics and mental health clinicians work collaboratively, using their expertise to assess each situation and explore the best options for the patient. By involving patients and their loved ones in the decision-making process, we ensure they receive the most appropriate care at the right time. This holistic approach highlights our commitment to compassionate, patient-centred care.”
A mental health response vehicle has also been implemented in Nottinghamshire to run a similar scheme for mental health incidents between 4pm and 1am, seven days a week.
Sue Elcock, Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Medical Director at Nottinghamshire Healthcare said: “Our partnership work with EMAS and Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB to provide this fantastic new Mental Health Response Vehicle service will make a massive difference to those experiencing a mental health crisis who are at their most vulnerable and need immediate help in Nottinghamshire.
“Our mental health practitioners will work alongside EMAS colleagues to assess patients, provide practical immediate help and escalate to other appropriate care pathways where required. This will ensure they get the right care they need at the right time quickly, helping to reduce the levels of mental distress for patients and their families.”
