A partnership between NHS 24, Police Scotland, and the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) is streamlining how patients receive mental health support in Scotland.

The Mental Health Pathway ensures that people who need urgent mental health support are directed to the right service.

It ensures patients contacting 999 with non-emergency mental health concerns are now routinely referred to the Mental Health Hub.

Dr Ron Cook, medical director at NHS 24 (Image: NHS 24) The NHS 24 Mental Health Hub is available 24/7 by calling 111 and selecting the Mental Health Option.

Dr Ron Cook, medical director at NHS 24, said: "It is imperative that anyone in mental health crisis or distress can quickly and easily connect with professionals who are experts in that field.

"The Mental Health Pathway was set up to streamline the process for anyone needing urgent assistance with their mental health, and aims to make all callers feel supported, understood, and cared for.

Chief Superintendent Matt Paden leads Police Scotland’s Mental Health Taskforce (Image: NHS 24) "This project has led to a better experience for individuals experiencing mental illness or distress, but also has the added impact of reducing the deployment of frontline services in non-emergencies and easing the demand on emergency services.”

The collaboration not only benefits patients but also allows police and ambulance staff to focus on their core roles.

Police Scotland data shows officer hours were able to be redirected to core policing and 99 per cent of their staff confirmed they felt confident making referrals and using the Mental Health Pathway following their training.

Catherine Totten, head of service for mental health and dementia at the Scottish Ambulance Service (Image: NHS 24) Chief Superintendent Matt Paden, who leads Police Scotland’s Mental Health Taskforce, said: "Where people call 999 with non-emergency mental health concerns, we've worked with health colleagues to give police staff the training, confidence and ability to refer them to the NHS's Mental Health Hub to get the care and support they need from those best able to provide it."

Catherine Totten, head of service for mental health and dementia at the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS), said: "The Mental Health Pathway allows us to directly transfer non-emergency callers to mental health trained clinicians in the NHS 24 mental health hub, ensuring those in crisis receive the right care at the right time."