Mental health conditions are becoming more prevalent in today’s society and it has been estimated that 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health issue at some point in their lives. The increase in mental health complaints has also affected the volume of calls to 999 in which paramedics are regularly called to address patients’ mental health concerns. The complexities and nuances within mental health means that many paramedics feel underprepared when managing patients who are experiencing mental distress. Mental Health Care in Paramedic Practice is the first guide written specifically for paramedics to support them in understanding a range of different mental health conditions which they may come across during their practice.
Not only does the book provide key information on recognising and managing a range of conditions, but it also includes case studies written by paramedics with first-hand experience of managing mental health calls. It also includes a section on legislative changes and policy descriptions as well as interprofessional working. This book is essential for anyone wanting to better understand how to care for patients with mental health concerns within the prehospital setting, including both experienced and aspiring paramedics.
Dr Ursula Rolfe is a principal academic and deputy head of Midwifery and Health Sciences Department at Bournemouth University. Within this role, she is also Practice Simulation Lead for the Health Sciences Faculty. Ursula has a PhD with the focus on how paramedics manage patients experiencing mental health from University of Southampton and has presented her work at various national and international conferences. This book was the next step in terms of identifying means to support her fellow paramedics in managing mental health patients. She is the national Mental Health Lead for the College of Paramedics since 2014 and continues to support and initiate change for frontline paramedics within this arena and feels it is vital to highlight the need for further education, training and support. She continues to publish and initiate research within this field whilst maintaining her clinical practice as a paramedic prescriber in Urgent Care.
David Partlow is currently a Strategic Manager within Adult Social Care in Somerset. David joined the NHS in 1996 after six years in the Army, serving in the Royal and Electrical Mechanical Engineers. David progressed through operational management within the ambulance service and subsequently spent 11 years as a Clinical Development Manager and Senior Clinical Lead. David was the Mental Health Lead and represented his Trust at the National Ambulance Service Mental Health Group. He has undertaken sessional lectures on Mental Capacity Act and Mental Health Act at universities in the south west region and has represented the ambulance service for the Crisis Care Concordat and independent review of the Mental Health Act. Moving into Adult Social Care, David is responsible for in-patient mental health, social care, the AMHP service and adult safeguarding. Since the onset of the current pandemic, David has also been the COVID-19 lead for Adult Social Care, responsible for providing guidance and support to the care sector. Outside of work David is the Vice Chair and Trustee of a suicide bereavement charity and coaches and helps run the minis and juniors section of his local rugby club.
