Four deaths prompt ICB to rethink crisis care

An integrated care board is rethinking its approach to crisis mental health care after “confusion” contributed towards the deaths of four people.

Multiple trusts in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB raised concerns about the “Right Care Right Person” (RCRP) policy, a national agreement between police and the NHS, which means that police should not need to attend a mental health-related incident unless there is a risk to life.

North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare Trust and Midlands Partnership University Foundation Trust told the ICB that police support was “not forthcoming” on several occasions and that “harm was potentially being caused because of this”.

Last year, coroners issued multiple warnings following a series of deaths linked to the controversial national policy, which was introduced despite concerns in the NHS and from patient groups.

The ICB commissioned a joint thematic review of four cases between October 2024 and March 2025, where people were found dead, and the RCRP process may not have been followed.

The review was finished at the end of last year and has only now been released to HSJ under the Freedom of Information Act.

Findings included that “system challenges” contributed to delays in gaining access to patients’ properties to check on them when there was a concern for their safety.

The review found that while RCRP had been launched by the trusts involved, “there were a number of healthcare staff in the community and in hospitals who were not fully aware or had a full understanding of the process and its needs and requirements”.

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Source: HSJ, 31 March 2026