| Thousands of people across Sussex are receiving faster, more appropriate mental health support thanks to an innovative service working in close partnership with the emergency services. |
| Launched in November 2024, the Blue Light Line Rapid Response service provides 24-hour mental health advice and guidance to support emergency services, including Sussex Police, South East Coast Ambulance Service, Beachy Head Chaplains, the Fire Service, Coastguard and the British Transport Police.
From July to December 2025, the service recorded 6,391 occasions where A&E attendance was prevented by providing specialist advice to frontline responders to support access to more appropriate, therapeutic mental health care. In addition, the number of people detained under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act has significantly reduced following advice given to Sussex Police by the Blue Light Line Rapid Response service. Between July and December 2025, 536 fewer detentions were carried out by the police compared to the previous six months. Blue Light Line Rapid Response mental health practitioners carry out assessments over the phone and advise on the most appropriate next steps to support the person in crisis. This may include signposting to specialist crisis support such as the Staying Well services or the Havens, offering a more appropriate and therapeutic alternative to A&E. Between midday and midnight, the Rapid Response team – based in Brighton, Crawley, Eastbourne and Worthing provide on scene support to carry out face-to-face mental health assessments and provide advice and support to frontline responders, using mental health response vehicles. Dr Oliver Dale, Chief Medical Officer at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said: “When someone is experiencing a mental health crisis, A&E may not be the most therapeutic environment, especially when there are no physical healthcare needs. This partnership sees our teams supporting emergency responders with specialist mental health advice 24 hours a day, making sure people receive the most appropriate care in the most appropriate setting.” Andrew Gordon, Head of Mental Health at South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) said: “The Blue Light Line has become an essential support option for our ambulance crews, giving them rapid access to specialist guidance when it matters most. The service helps crews deliver safer, more effective care for patients and is making a meaningful difference on the front line.” Claire NcNelis, Sussex Police Mental Health Lead, said: “Blue Light Line provide the much-needed expert advice to our frontline police officers and staff, ensuring we can protect vulnerable people and respond in the most appropriate way. “It provides reassurance and clear direction of what action should be taken and where patients can access the relevant support.” Blue Light Line Rapid Response is one of a range of services introduced to help people in Sussex access timely and appropriate help with their mental health. |
Category Archives: Community
Dates Announced for Annual Tandridge Job Fair
The annual Tandridge Job Fair will be returning on Wednesday 24th June at the Council Offices in Oxted between 10.30am and 2pm.
The event is delivered in partnership with Jobcentre Plus and East Surrey College, with support from the National Careers Service.
Jobseekers, employers and training providers are all brought together under one roof with skills workshops, networking and expert careers guidance on offer.
Horsham man sentenced to 22 years for rape
A man from Horsham as been jailed for a string of rapes and sexual abuse against a young girl over several years.
58-year-old, Keith Clifton, first began abusing his victim when she was four years old.
He was arrested at his home in 2018 after the victim, who is now a woman in her 20s, approached Sussex Police.
She was given support by specialist officers while a thorough investigation was launched.
Clifton was sentenced to 22 years and subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order significantly reducing his ability to reoffend.
Trains services resume after train hits obstruction on track
Train services through Gatwick Airport are back to normal after a train hit an obstruction on the tracks.
Rail operators Thameslink and Southern first reported the issue at about 06:00 GMT on Tuesday, stating that the incident had occurred near Salfords station.
A spokesperson explained that a train had correctly gone through a signal and hit the object, knocking off the train’s shoe gears.
The obstruction was removed and services resumed by 4pm the same day.
Measures approved by SCC to help improve specialist places in education.
Surrey County Council’s Cabinet has approved a series of measures that will accelerate the creation of specialist education places, ensuring more children and young people with additional needs and disabilities can receive high quality education.
The use of Surrey’s 2025/26 High Needs Provision Capital Allocation Grant, totalling £16.14 million, will deliver projects that will create at least 220 new specialist places for the next academic year.
The investments will help meet rising demands for specialist places.