Mental health-related ambulance call-outs in Scotland during COVID-19
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Ambulance call-outs for psychiatric emergencies in Scotland during the COVID-19 pandemic
IRAS ID
284537
Contact name
Josie M M Evans
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Stirling
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 31 days
Research summary
It is likely that the COVID-19 pandemic and/or associated social distancing restrictions will have mental health implications for many people in Scotland, at a time when services are already under strain. This may precipitate some into mental health crises requiring emergency ambulance attendance. At least 10% of ambulance call-outs in Scotland are mental health related (9,014 such calls from 6,802 people in Scotland in 2011). We will examine patterns of ambulance call-outs for emergency mental health crises during the COVID-19 pandemic. By comparing with an equivalent study period in 2019 during ‘normal’ times, this will:
1. Help to build an objective picture of the mental health consequences of the pandemic on the general population
2. Provide an indication of the knock-on effects on other NHS servicesREC name
West of Scotland REC 5
REC reference
20/WS/0086
Date of REC Opinion
19 Jun 2020
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion