Ambulance staff can be called in to assess detained people

Police and the ambulance service have teamed up to ensure medical care becomes the priority when needed.

Under the new arrangement, ambulance staff could be called in to assess someone when officers suspect alcohol may be masking a medical problem.

They want to minimise the risk to people such as diabetics.

Under the new protocol, to be launched on Tuesday, Fife Constabulary officers and call handling staff have been trained to seek an assessment of a detained person by Scottish Ambulance Service staff where concerns emerge about a possible medical problem.

Instead of calling in a doctor to assess the person in a cell, those detained could be taken by ambulance for further assessment in hospital.

This initiative ensures that patients who need medical treatment will receive it promptly and valuable NHS resources will not be occupied in dealing with those who do not Mary Newman Scottish Ambulance Service

Project leader, Inspector Mike Stevens, said: "We believe that if a person is seriously intoxicated through alcohol, or suffering from a condition which could be misinterpreted that way, they should be assessed by a medical professional such as ambulance personnel - not a police officer.

"Moreover, they should be in an environment such as an accident and emergency unit, where any complications or additional care can be dealt with quickly.

"We believe a police cell is not an appropriate place for such people."

Mary Newman, director of operations for the Scottish Ambulance Service said: "This initiative ensures that patients who need medical treatment will receive it promptly and valuable NHS resources will not be occupied in dealing with those who do not."

The force stressed that those people deemed drunk and incapable but not considered to be a medical risk would still be taken into custody.