Rapid Response Service to support Section 136 Observations

The Rapid Response Service will support the transport, support, and observation to patients across the Cheshire and Wirral NHS Foundation Trust footprint. The service will sit within the Urgent Care First Response portfolio and will undertake the following functions:

1. Section 135/ Section 136 observation in acute hospital place of safety (POS)

2. Patient conveyance

3. Supporting Patients in A and E departments who have been assessed as requiring a mental health inpatient bed.

4. Support to inpatient mental health wards

5. Support to Home Treatment Teams

6. Support to the Crisis Line

Capacity for all responses will be managed centrally by Rapid Response coordinators who will be based in the crisis line and work alongside Clinical Leads to prioritise responses.

Rapid Response Team Members will be based in the Crisis Triage and Response Service (CTRS) and the East Home Treatment Team. S135 / S136 observation in acute hospital POS and takes priority over all other functions of the service and this will be prioritised.

01/04/25 to 31/12/25 £723,884