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Mental health pilot is saving people's lives: police continued from p.19 When the MCRRT needs to take someone to hospital, the amount of time officers must spend at hospital is considerably reduced -- to an average of 83 minutes. Milinovich said police officers, not in his unit, who bring someone in crisis to hospital, spend an average 100 minutes at the facility before the patient is admitted. "We're sending either a registered nurse or a registered social worker with an extensive background in mental health to people who really need their support as they work through their crisis," said Milinovich. Assessment in the community "When they arrive at the scene, they are completing the assessment in the community. This is being done immediately, at the time when people need it, and not two hours later in the hospital. "We also saw that this was an effective screening process for the hospital because our registered nurse or social worker use the same screening processes as are being used in the hospital," he continued. "So, when they do arrive at the hospital, the two groups are speaking the same language and it is not redundant in their examination of what this person needs." Due to the increased efficiency, Milinovich increased focus on improving police response estimates in January alone, the MCRRT added. Board members described the program to those dealing with mental health issues. saved Halton police 110 officer hours. as commendable while Halton Police Chief Milinovich said between 2012 and 2015, Saving on-duty time of officers Stephen Tanner called it "fabulous" and Halton police saw a 37 per cent increase in Milinovich said that is 110 hours uniform "effective." emergency calls related to mental health officers were not tied up at a hospital and There is no shortage of reasons for an issues. able to attend to other duties. To provide an example of how MCRRT works, Milinovich pointed to a recent case in which a teenaged youth was in crisis and police were called. BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT The MCRRT responded and supported the AREA (BIA) CORDIALLY INVITES YOU TO ATTEND OUR person through the crisis, de-escalating the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM): situation. The person was then put in touch with additional social service supports, like Tuesday, March 22, 2016 COAST (Crisis Outreach and Support Team). 6:30pM lighT refreshMenTs: 7:00pM agM sTarTs The case was then assigned to a mental Oakville TOwn hall, Oakville, On health caseworker to further assist the person. (BrOnTe/palerMO rOOM) 23 | Friday, March 4, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com THE KERR VILLAGE Community feedback positive Milinovich said the community feedback he has received about the MCRRT so far has been extremely positive. "I am certain it is really making differences in people's lives and it is making those differences in the times when people need them the most," said Milinovich. "To be frank, we're saving people's lives," he The MeeTing TO Be chaired By MayOr rOB BurTOn agenda iTeMs include: COMMiTTEE REPORTS APPROVAl OF THE 2016 BUDGET TO RSVP FOR THE AGM CONTACT THE KERR VillAGE BiA AT: info@kerr-village.ca or call 905-849-8865 Save Now 20 lb. Bag of Bird Seed and Suet Cakes Sale Ends March 14, 2016 Sale Come and See Us! OPEN 7 DAYS 3350 FAIRVIEW STREET, BuRlIngTon 905-634-7700 · EmAIl: wbu1@bellnet.ca We bring people & nature together Bird Seed & Suet 65+ Enjoy Lifestyle Freedom at You're invited One beautiful with a a wide wide range One beautiful bungalows bungalow with range of of features. features. Free hot dog, hamburgers, drinks and something for your sweet tooth. 290 Woodside Drive Oakville Jazz Ensemble playing from 11:30 to 2:30 · 290 Woodside Drive Wednesday March 9th from 10 ­ 2 pm Wednesday March 9th from 10 ­ 2 pm OPEN OPENHOUSE HOUSE woodsidemews@cogeco.net www.woodsidemews.ca Coronation Park . .W RD RE HO ES K LA FOURTH LINE 905.338.1657 REBECCA R WOODSIDE THIRD LINE Library