A GROUND-BREAKING service which allows mental health patients in Oxfordshire's emergency departments to be seen more quickly has been shortlisted for a national award.

The Emergency Department Psychiatry Service’s Technology Assisted Psychiatry (TAP) is in the running for the Positive Practice in Mental Health’s Innovation in Digital Technology Award.

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust's emergency department psychiatry service in Oxfordshire offers support to people who arrive at A&E departments in Oxford and Banbury.

The service uses video conferencing between the A&E and psychiatrists allowing for speedier consultation and support for mental health patients.

Dr Kathleen Kelly, one of the consultants in the team, said: “We are very pleased to have been shortlisted for an award by Positive Practice Mental Health Collaborative.

"Patients, carers and staff continue to benefit from TAP every day.

“They do not need to wait for our staff to drive to them to assess them and they get the help they need quicker.

"Patients can also request a face to face assessment, although around 80 per cent agree to an assessment using TAP.”

The Positive Practice Mental Health Collaborative scheme, is a multi-agency initiative involving a number of organisations including NHS trusts, CCGs and police forces, which aims to improve shared learning, and to raise the profile of mental health with politicians and policy makers.

The winners of the Mental Health Innovation award are due to be announced on October 11 2018.