Pre-hospital mental health with Anna Basquil and Dan Fisher

In this episode we explore the initiative of pre-hospital co-responding mental health nurses working alongside paramedics within London, UK. We look at the prevalence of mental health within the capital and how Anna and Dan have seen the initiative add benefit to pre-hospital assessment, management and the resultant access to healthcare. 

We look at some of the current prevailing mental health statistics (MIND 2020), such as:

• 1 in 4 people experience mental health issues each year.
• 792 million people are affected by mental health issues worldwide.
• At any given time, 1 in 6 working-age adults have symptoms associated with mental ill health.
• Mental illness is the second-largest source of burden of disease in England. Mental illnesses are more common, long-lasting and impactful than other health conditions.
• Men aged 40-49 have the highest suicide rates in the UK.

We also look at anecdotal commonalities in acute MH presentations within the community and the interplay between the Mental Health Act and the Mental Capacity Act in assessment and treatment of mental health patients. Lastly, we look at case studies to understand the dual assessment model that Anna and Dan use to assess patients within the pre-hospital environment. 

I hope you enjoy the episode.