Mental health-based place of safety (136 suite)

The Mental Health Crisis Intervention Team manages and runs the Mental Health Based Place of Safety (MHBPoS) for Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire. The MHBPoS is sometimes also known as a 136 suite and the designated place of safety for the locality is at Miranda House, Hull.

Alternatively an identified community residence can be used as a place of safety if appropriate. However a police station should not be used as a place of safety and the use of Accident and Emergency should only be considered for a person who has additional medical needs which require further assessment and intervention.

Section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983 is a police power that can only be used in a variety of public places when a person is putting themselves or others at risk and there is evidence they may be experiencing a mental health crisis.

The purpose of removing a person to a place of safety is to enable the person to be examined by a doctor and interviewed by an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) so that necessary arrangements can be made for the person’s care and treatment.

The Section 136 suite receives referrals from the British Transport Police and Humberside Police, who can reach the Mental Health Crisis Intervention Team through a dedicated emergency services support line.

Further information on what a section 136 is and rights of the person detained can be found here.