Best Example of Collaborative Working – NWC Research and Innovation Awards 2015 Cheshire Constabulary and mental health services are working together to provide an immediate response to police incidents that would benefit from mental health services, through Street Triage. It is supported by Cheshire and Wirral Foundation Trust and 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

A police officer and a community psychiatric nurse work together, sharing information and expertise.

Both parties assess situations with the nurse using mental health expertise, access to diagnosis and risk history, and the officer looking at the law/crime, offending history and current situation. Together they decide the most appropriate course of action, taking into consideration customer care, illness, safeguarding and the law.