A mental health trust has apologised after a patient had to sleep in the back of a police car in a hospital car park because there was no bed available for her.
Katie Simpkins, 23, from Corsham in Wiltshire, was detained under the Mental Health Act for her own safety but there was no hospital bed available in the whole of the county.
Officers allowed Simpkins to sleep under a blanket in the back of their patrol car and watched over her until a bed became available.
She and her husband, Tristan Simpkins, 25, released a photograph of her in the back of the police car to try to raise awareness of the lack of beds available in such situations.
Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust confirmed there were only two beds available for people detained under section 136 of the Mental Health Act, which gives police the power to take a person from a public space to a place of safety.
A trust spokesperson said: “We work closely with the police to ensure they know the availability of places of safety. In this instance we were unable to provide a bed straight away and there clearly could have been better communication. We apologise and will be mindful of this in the future.
“Once the matter came to our attention, we made contact with Mr Simpkins to give him and his wife our full support.”
Police had detained Katie Simpkins under section 136 early last Saturday.
Her husband said police rang round but could not find a place for her in a mental health unit. They took her into the custody suite at Melksham police station until later on Saturday afternoon, when officers were told a bed was available at Green Lane hospital in Devizes. However, when they got there at 5pm they were were told it was not ready.
Tristan Simpkins said: “The hospital suggested she go back to custody and they would call when it was ready, but the police officer said: ‘Custody is not the right place for her.’ He didn’t want to risk her missing the bed so he said they’d wait, and he’d wait with us.
“Katie had her medication, became drowsy and he let her sleep in the back of the police car with her blanket. When I saw her lying in the back of the police car I felt frustrated – but I’ve become used to it. I feel hopeless.”
He praised the way the police had tried to help. “It wasn’t their fault they couldn’t get a bed but these officers were all really lovely with her,” he said. She was finally admitted at 9pm.
Sgt Mike Hughes, who oversees mental health issues for Wiltshire police, said: “When a person is in crisis and has been detained under the Mental Health Act we always endeavour to avoid detaining them in custody, which is only ever used as a last resort. However, sometimes no health-based place of safety is available and our main priority has to be keeping the person safe from harm.”
He added: “There is always room for improvement, and we continue to work closely with our partner agencies to make sure all the people we have contact with receive the best possible support and care.”
Mental health trust apologises after woman has to sleep in police car
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