A unique pilot program in Canada is pairing ER nurses with police officers to address the pressure on healthcare systems and improve response to mental health crises. This collaboration allows nurses to accompany police on mental health-related calls, providing immediate medical and psychological support on the scene.
This approach not only aims to alleviate the burden on emergency departments but also ensures that individuals in crisis receive timely and appropriate care, potentially reducing the need for hospitalization and improving overall outcomes.
UWindsor Faculty of Nursing alumnus, Abbas Haidar (BScN 2018), is part of the program that reflects a broader trend in healthcare and law enforcement to build trust and enhance safety through integrated, community-based approaches. By training both police and nurses in de-escalation techniques and situational awareness, the program seeks to prevent violence and improve interactions between law enforcement and the community.
Nursing professor Laurie Freeman hopes to study the program, and notes that she couldn’t find its equal in any published research.
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News article courtesy Kelly Grant, Health Reporter at "The Globe and Mail"