A fourth 111 option?

Radio NZ reports:

A fourth option – alongside fire, ambulance and police – could be created for those who call 111, the new mental health minister says.

A recent ministerial briefing proposed police withdraw from some family harm and mental health calls, saying other agencies should fill that role.

Minister Matt Doocey said he was getting more information, but was considering a specialised first responders group for people in mental health crisis.

Doocey told Midday Report “it might be time for New Zealand to have a fourth option” when they call emergency services.

“Potentially we have fire, ambulance, police, maybe we have a fourth option of mental health, which will help triage the calls and get a better response out to those people in a time of crisis.”

Selecting the ‘mental health’ option would ensure people in distress got the right support, he said.

“I think it’s very clear when you call 111 with a physical health crisis [currently] you get a health response. When you call 111 with a mental health crisis in New Zealand you get a criminal justice response.

This seems to be a very laudable idea.