Early success but internal concerns a year after London police team up with healthcare workers

An innovative program teaming healthcare professionals with London police to help people experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis is showing signs of success, but a new report analyzing the COAST team’s first year also exposes several concerns.

An innovative program teaming healthcare professionals with London police is showing signs of success, but a new report analyzing the COAST team’s first year also exposes several concerns.

Results were shared with the London Police Services Board (LPSB) from an upcoming report about the Community Outreach and Support Team (COAST) that launched in April 2021.

COAST aims to reduce the frequency of 9-1-1 calls and emergency room visits by Londoners who regularly experience a mental health or addiction crisis.

It’s a partnership by London police, Middlesex-London Paramedic Services, St. Joseph’s Healthcare London and the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHC).

“The feedback that researchers got from [clients] said it was a helpful and positive experience,” explains Lori Hassall from CMHC.

According to the report, COAST responds to 100 to 150 clients each month, most of whom did not call 9-1-1 or attend the emergency room in the days that followed a visit.

In addition, more than 80 per cent of clients who responded to a survey indicated they were satisfied, or very satisfied, with the response by COAST.