2 weeks Ago By Shelagh Parkinson
The Blackpool and Fylde Coast initial response service was set up by health chiefs so people could have a single access point where they could go to for help, without needing a doctor's referral. Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Lancashire Evening Post, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Call handlers are available round the clock to offer advice or refer people to other services if they are suffering a more serious breakdown.
The aim is to see emergency cases within an hour, within four hours for an urgent referral and within five days for a routine referral. Advertisement Advertisement The service has received more than 10,000 referrals since its launch in September last year up to June 30 this year, with the highest number being in the 26 to 35-year age group. Calls should be answered within 15 seconds by trained call handlers.
Since the launch the IRS in Blackpool and the Fylde coast has supported just over 38 per cent more people to access secondary mental health care. Join our new WhatsApp Community to get the latest news and top stories from across Lancashire directly to your phone. Get the latest headlines, straight to your inbox, with The Gazette’s free emails Advertisement Advertisement Figures presented to a meeting of Blackpool Council's Adult Social Care and Health Scrutiny Committee show the service has reduced the number of mental health patients going to A&E by 3.
1 per cent. A report adds the number of people being detained by the police for mental health reasons has also reduced thanks to initiatives such as a street triage scheme where police and mental health practitioners work together, treating people immediately at the scene of an incident. The phone number for people to access the service is 0800 013 0709.
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