Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (CAVUHB), have the requirement for Secure Mental Health Patient Transport, which involves the safe and appropriate transfer of individuals experiencing acute psychiatric symptoms or crises. This includes transfers between hospitals, from home or care settings to hospital, and to or from secure facilities.
The service must ensure the safety of the patient, transport staff, and the public. It requires trained personnel skilled in de-escalation and restraint, specialist vehicles with appropriate safety modifications, and the use of physical or procedural controls where necessary, particularly for patients detained under the Mental Health Act.
The service requirements must be available 24/7, using secure, specialist mental health vehicles. Vehicles should be equipped with pods or cells when required, based on a risk assessment. Response times must meet the following standards:
• Urgent: within 30 minutes
• Standard: within 4 hours
• Pre-planned: within and up to 24 hours
The service must provide national coverage with no distance limitations and should operate a fleet that is either already low-carbon or transitioning away from petrol and diesel. A robust booking and communication system is essential, along with staff who are knowledgeable about the Mental Health Act. Staffing levels should be determined through a risk assessment process.