Missing and Absconded Patient Policy - Salford Royal NHS

Missing and Absconded Patient policy

Reference Number: MisPat2002 Version Number 6 Issue Date: 07/12/2018 Page 1 of 18

It is your responsibility to check on the intranet that this printed copy is the latest version

Missing and Absconded Patient Policy

Lead Author: Rachel Charlesworth, ADNS Emergency Medicine

Additional author(s) Beverley Thompson, Lead Nurse Emergency Department

Division/ Department:: Integrated Care Division

Applies to: (Please delete) Salford Royal Care Organisation

Date approved: 08/11/2018

Expiry date: November 2021

Contents

Contents

Section Page

1 What is the policy about? 2

2 Where will this document be used? 2

3 Why is this document important? 2-3

4 What is new in this version? 3

5 What is the Policy? 3-6

5.1 Prevention 3-4

5.2 What to do if a patient is missing? Wards and Emergency Department 4

5.3 Process for external sites 5

5.4 Assessing Risk 5-6

5.5 What to do if a patient is found? 6

6 Roles and responsibilities 6

7 Monitoring document effectiveness 7

8 Abbreviations and definitions 8

9 References and supporting Documents 8

10 Document Control Information 8

11 Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) screening tool 10

12 Appendices 11-18

Appendix 1 Risk indicators for missing/absconded patients (SRFT) and Algorithm for missing/absconded patients (SRFT)

11-13

Appendix 2 SRFT/ED missing/absconded patient report from 14

Appendix 3 ED Mental Health Risk of Absconding Triage Assessment 15

Appendix 4 Self-discharge action sheet 16

Appendix 5 Police Powers relating to Patients Missing from Hospital 17-18

Group arrangements:

Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust (SRFT)

Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust (PAT)




1. What is this policy about? Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust has a responsibility for all persons under the Health and Safety at Work Act, including the well-being of patients whilst on Trust Premises taking into consideration their clinical condition. This policy will outline the correct processes to be used and how this may differ depending On the individual patient’s circumstances, if they abscond. 1.1 Patient presenting with Mental Health related problems will have a risk assessment carried

out within thirty minutes of arrival to ED.

1.2 For patients without capacity, preventative actions will be commenced. If they then

abscond, full search processes, including Police, should be commenced.

1.3 For patients with capacity, local search processes will occur but Police should not routinely

be called, unless the patient is vulnerable or in an especially high risk group.

The aim is to simplify and clarify risk, to state the actions to be taken if a patient is missing, and to have consistency between services, so that SRFT, Mental Health Services (Greater Manchester Mental Health) and Police services (GMP) are used appropriately and efficiently.

2. Where will this document be used? 2.1 For use across all areas of SRFT. For use by: All Registered and unregistered Nurses All Ward Managers and deputies Security staff Site coordinators Senior managers’ on-call Greater Manchester Mental health (GMMH) staff Greater Manchester Police (GMP) staff

3. Why is this document important?

3.1 In the past if any patient left a clinical area before treatment had been completed, the same process would occur irrespective of individual circumstances. This would often involve a request to the Police to find the patient and either check that they were well (the welfare check) and/or bring the patient back to the hospital. As such there has often been a difference between hospital practice and the GMP “Missing and Absent persons Policy”, which requires

Police involvement for high risk patients, with high risk defined as:




"The risk posed to the individual is immediate and is likely to place the subject in danger through their own vulnerability, or where there are substantial grounds for believing that they are a

threat to others." The information given to the Police was often limited and sketchy with attending Police not having enough information to act appropriately and within the law. Often they were faced with patients with capacity who refused to return. This process left hospital nurses unclear of the risks involved and Police resources stretched and unable to prioritise calls appropriately.

4. What is new in this version?

4.1 This is an update of a previous version but there are no important changes to the content.

5. Policy

5.1 Prevention 5.1.1 Wards Identification and care of a patient with history of wandering, without capacity. Nursing and Medical Staff should identify and document in the Nursing and Medical notes if the patient has a history of wandering. If there is a risk of absconding the following should be noted:

Document physical details of the patient including weight, height, eye, skin and hair colour, any distinguishing marks/ any disabilities

Document the patient’s normal routine

List any areas to which the patient habitually wanders

As with all patients, nursing staff should implement hourly rounding for these patients to ensure a regular check and should record whether the patient is on ward or whereabouts

If risk assessment indicates that a patient is at immediate risk of leaving the ward/unit consider what appropriate action is required e.g.

Consider the appropriateness of Sectioning under Mental Health Act in liaison with mental health team

Consider if DoLs application is required

Consider 1-1 nursing (specialling) if the patient is making attempts to leave the ward or deemed to be at high risk of leaving. Use Safety Prescription as part of this assessment

Ensure all available ward locking is in operation 5.1.2 Emergency Department On arrival to the Emergency Department (ED) all patients will receive a clinical triage. Patients presenting and categorised using Manchester Triage as “self-harm”, “overdose and poisoning”, “mental Illness” and “behaving strangely” are at higher risk of leaving before being deemed safe to do so. As with all other patients, they should have a clinical triage and clinical observations taken.




During or following clinical triage, all patients presenting within the four stated categories will have a Mental Health Triage Assessment (appendix 3) completed, within 30mins of triage. The purpose of the mental health triage is to assist in identifying people who are at higher risk of harm if they abscond and therefore may require prioritising to be seen sooner. Completion of the Mental Health Triage Assessment is the responsibility of triage nurse or the coordinator in the area the patient is allocated to. They may subsequently delegate to another member of the nursing team, but they remain responsible for assessment completion. If the triage nurse is especially concerned about a patient’s wellbeing they should not delay subsequent assessment and should liaise with the Nurse-in Charge regarding a safe place for the patient to be nursed. Patients assessed at high risk of harm if they abscond will be nursed in an observable clinical area as soon as possible and Mental Health Liaison Team (GMMH) informed immediately to allow prioritisation of their caseload. Consideration will be made as to whether one-to-one nursing or Security presence is required.

5.2 What to do if a patient is missing

5.2.1 Internal – Local (nurse-in-charge dept. /ward)

Identify the time and place that the patient was last seen

Ensure the patient has not been delayed in another department

Call patient on mobile and/or home phone number

Commence a search of all areas of the ward/ department

Allocate a member of staff to contact wards departments in close proximity and the Security Control Centre to monitor the CCTV

Request and complete a Missing Patient Report for security (Appendix 2)

One member of staff from the above wards/departments to search their own area and report back within 15 minutes

Commence a site search if the patient is not found

Complete an adverse incident report (Datix) 5.2.2 Internal - Trust Site Search Nurse-in-charge to inform the following staff prior to search:

Matrons/Lead Nurse/ADNS/site coordinator - to organise immediate search of local areas

Security: thorough search of grounds, toilets, smoking shelters and areas closed out of hours.

Contact patient’s relatives/carer (and give contact name and number)

Staff members assisting with search to bleep Matron/ Site Coordinator with update

If the patient is not found on site, divisional senior nurse/site coordinator to complete a Datix report and escalate to external search if appropriate after completing risk assessment (see below and appendix 1)

DO NOT CALL THE POLICE UNTIL A RISK ASSESSMENT HAS BEEN CARRIED OUT (appendix 1)




5.3 SRFT External sites

5.3.1 SRFT External sites- Community- Heartly Green, Maples, Limes Identify the time and place that the patient was last seen. Actions:

Commence a search of all areas of the unit

Call patient on mobile and/or home phone number. Contact patient’s relatives/carer (and give contact name and number)

Request and complete a Missing Patient Report (Appendix 2)

Complete an adverse incident report (datix) Escalation:

Unit Nurse to contact their Lead Nurse and ADNS in hours/Site coordinator (who will inform Senior Manager on-call) out of hours. Site Coordinator to remain on hospital site at all times)

Patient’s GP (in normal working hours) If patient not found:

If the patient is not found after a comprehensive search the Site Coordinator/ Senior Manager on-call/Assistant Director of Nursing (ADNS) should discuss with the Divisional Director of Nursing (DDN)/Executive-on-call (if out of hours)

Unit Nurse-in-Charge (with assistance of the divisional senior nurse/site coordinator) to complete a Datix report and escalate to external community search if appropriate (follow 4.2.3 above) after completing risk assessment (see below and appendix 1). Site coordinator to Call Police if patient lacks capacity or site coordinator in liaison with unit nurse if feels patient fits into an especially vulnerable group.

5.4 Assessing risk

5.4.1 Assessing risk

Use the “Risk Indicators for Missing/Absconded Patients (SRFT)” (appendix 1) to decide the risk level of the patient.

If unsure speak to your Lead Nurse/ADNS/site coordinator Additional advice can be sought from the Lead Nurse Emergency Dept. or ADNS Emergency medicine or out-of-hours the Nurse-in-Charge Emergency Dept.

4.3.1 Actions after assessing risk Having determined risk level using appendix 1, follow the “Algorithm for Missing/Absconded Patients from SRFT” (appendix 1) to decide actions 4.4 Patients with capacity One of the key issues to determine both risk and actions is whether a patient has the capacity to make their own decisions about their health and treatment:




Patients presenting with mental health related problems: Follow process as outlined in 4.2. These patients will usually be in the Emergency Department (ED) or Emergency admissions Unit (EAU) and already have a completed Mental Health triage assessment. In normal circumstances the Mental Health Liaison Team (MHLT) should be responsible for determining the risk of harm and therefore if Police are to be contacted. Where possible MHLT should make the phone call to the police. Patients with physical conditions: Under normal circumstances a patient with capacity is free to make a decision about their care and treatment and this includes the right to leave against medical advice. For this group of patients the Police have no ability to return the patient against their will. Consideration though, should be made as to whether the patient is vulnerable i.e. due to age. If under 18 or elderly this may put them at increased risk. If a patient with capacity decides to take their own discharge please complete the self-discharge action sheet (appendix 4)

5.5 What to do if patient is found

5.5.1 Once patient is found:

Senior Nurse/site Coordinator to obtain maximum information regarding the physical and psychological condition of the patient

Lead Nurse/ADNS/Senior Manager on-call, as advised by Senior Nurse/Site Coordinator, to establish if a patient with capacity is willing to return and to determine the type of vehicle: numbers and discipline of staff to collect the patient safely

Patients found by Police, if appendix 1 is followed, will be returned by the Police

If the patient is found unconscious or deceased 999 should be contacted immediately

Upon positive identification of patient, immediately inform the relatives and call off the search

Inform security control and the police (if they have been called and not found by them) that the patient has been located

Nurse-in-charge of the ward/dept. to ensure the patient is examined by a clinician on arrival back to hospital

Nurse-in-charge to ensure full documentation of event occurs and care plan is updated

Nurse-in-charge to ensure action plan is put in place and communicated to all staff to prevent a repeat occurrence

Site Co-ordinator must ensure the manager on-call is fully updated with adverse incident updated to reflect finding the patient

6. Roles and responsibilities

ADNS (Emergency Medicine) to disseminate to Divisional Directors of Nursing, Assistant Directors of Nursing, Lead Nurses, Matrons, Senior Manager On-Call and Site Coordinators ADNSs to ensure a robust strategy to communicate the policy to all staff




Lead Nurses to disseminate to Ward Managers and obtain signed confirmation Ward Managers to disseminate to all staff and obtain signed confirmation Policy to be put on synapse Divisional Directors of Nursing to ensure policy is raised at Risk/Governance meetings The Quality Performance and Experience Committee (QPE) will be responsible for approval of

the policy

7. Monitoring document effectiveness

GMP hospital liaison Police Officer will produce weekly details of all calls to the Police regarding missing and absconded patients. These will be assessed by the ED Police liaison lead and feedback given to respective ward and units by the ED ADNS as appropriate.

These will lead and feedback given to respective ward and ADNS

8. Abbreviations and definitions

ED – SRFT Emergency Department GMMH – Greater Manchester Mental Health GMP – Greater Manchester Police DATIX - Datix is a reporting system for healthcare risk management and adverse event reporting DoLS- Deprivation of Liberty safeguards

9. References and Supporting Documents

9.1 References

Health and Safety at Work act (1974) HSE Missing and Absent Persons Policy (2016) Greater Manchester Police Mental Health act (2007)

9.2 Related SRFT/PAT documents

N/A




10. Document Control Information

It is the author’s responsibility to ensure that all sections below are completed in relation to this version of

the document prior to submission for upload.

Nominated Lead author:

Rachel Charlesworth ADNS Emergency Medicine

Lead author contact details:

0161 206 5004

[email protected]

Lead Author’s Manager:

Jacqueline Burrow DDN ICD

Applies to: Salford CO

Document developed in consultation with :

This is an update to the previous policy. There are no significant changes

Keywords/ phrases:

Absconded Patients, Missing Patients

Communication plan:

ADNS (Emergency Medicine) to disseminate to Divisional Directors of Nursing, Assistant Directors of Nursing, Lead Nurses, Matrons, Senior Manager On-Call and Site Coordinators. ADNS Emergency Medicine will be responsible for Trust implementation. This will occur via divisional operational ADNSs, who will be tasked with ensuring that all affected staff are competent in all aspects of the document. ADNS Emergency medicine is also responsible for communication with external agencies, including Greater Manchester Police

Document review arrangements:

This document will be reviewed by the author at least once every three years or earlier should a change in legislation, best practice or other change in circumstance dictate.

Approval: Quality & People Experience Committee Peter Murphy, Director of Nursing, Governance & Quality / Chair of Committee 8 November 2018

How approved: Chair’s actions Formal Committee decision




11. Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) screening tool Legislation requires that our documents consider the potential to affect groups differently, and eliminate or minimise this where possible. This process helps to reduce health inequalities by identifying where steps can be taken to ensure the same access, experience and outcomes are achieved across all groups of people. This may require you to do things differently for some groups to reduce any potential differences.

1a) Have you undertaken any consultation/ involvement with service users, staff or other groups in relation to this document?

Yes: Consultation with Lead Nurse ED

1b) Have any amendments been made as a result?

Yes: Slight change to Emergency Department section. Responsibility for completion of the secondary risk assessment is now that of the triage nurse and/or co-ordinator.

2) Does this policy have the potential to affect any of the groups listed below differently?

Protected Group Yes No Unsure

Age (e.g. are specific age groups excluded? Would the same process affect

age groups in different ways?) X

Sex (e.g. is gender neutral language used in the way the policy or

information leaflet is written?) X

Race (e.g. any specific needs identified for certain groups such as dress,

diet, individual care needs? Are interpretation and translation services required and do staff know how to book these?)

X

Religion & Belief (e.g. Jehovah Witness stance on blood transfusions;

dietary needs that may conflict with medication offered.) X

Sexual orientation (e.g. is inclusive language used? Are there different

access/prevalence rates?) X

Pregnancy & Maternity (e.g. are procedures suitable for pregnant and/or

breastfeeding women?) X

Marital status/civil partnership (e.g. would there be any difference

because the individual is/is not married/in a civil partnership?) X

Gender Reassignment (e.g. are there particular tests related to gender? Is

confidentiality of the patient or staff member maintained?) X

Human Rights (e.g. does it uphold the principles of Fairness, Respect,

Equality, Dignity and Autonomy?) X

Carers (e.g. is sufficient notice built in so can take time off work to attend

appointment?) X

Socio/economic (e.g. would there be any requirement or expectation that

may not be able to be met by those on low or limited income, such as costs incurred?)

X

Disability (e.g. are information/questionnaires/consent forms available in

different formats upon request? Are waiting areas suitable?) Includes hearing and/or visual impairments, physical disability, neurodevelopmental impairments e.g. autism, mental health conditions, and long term conditions e.g. cancer.

X




Are there any adjustments that need to be made to ensure that people with disabilities have the same access to and outcomes from the service or employment activities as those without disabilities? (e.g. allow extra time for appointments, allow advocates to be

present in the room, having access to visual aids, removing requirement to wait in unsuitable environments, etc.)

X

3) Where you have identified that there are potential differences, what steps have you taken to mitigate these? No differences have been identified. 4) Where you have identified adjustments would need to be made for those with disabilities, what action has been taken? No necessary adjustments identified.

Will this policy require a full impact assessment? No Author: Rachel Charlesworth Date: 23/7/2018 Sign off from Equality Champion: Simon H Gray Date: 11/10/18




Appendix 1 Missing and Absconded Patient QRG

Risk Indicators for Missing/Absconded Patients (SRFT) The purpose of the following categorisation framework is to:-

Assist staff to appropriately categorise a missing/absconded patient. If there is any doubt a senior doctor and senior nurse/site coordinator must be consulted

Allow for clear and appropriate communication to the Police with regard to levels of concern

To Assist Police in prioritising their responses and the allocation of their resources When the risk category has been determined, follow the Algorithm for Missing/Absconded Patients and complete the missing/absconded patient form for high risk patients.

HIGH RISK The purpose of the following categorisation framework is to:-

Assist staff to appropriately categorise a missing/absconded patient. If there is any doubt a senior doctor and senior nurse/site coordinator must be consulted

Allow for clear and appropriate communication to the Police with regard to levels of concern

To Assist Police in prioritising their responses and the allocation of their resources When the risk category has been determined, follow the Algorithm for Missing/Absconded Patients and complete the missing/absconded patient form for high risk patients.

HIGH RISK

Is the patient acutely or chronically confused? e.g. dementia or delirium

Is the patient vulnerable? e.g. due to age; under 18 or elderly

Is the patient deemed not to have capacity?

You need to consider if they have an impairment or disturbance in the functioning of the mind or brain and an inability to make decisions. A person is unable to make a safe decision if they cannot:

Understand the information relevant to the decision

Retain that information

Fully consider that information as part of the process of making the decision, or communicate the decision

Consider the following questions:

Is the patient suffering from a mental health problem and is an immediate risk to themselves or others? (In ED the duty CPN must be consulted when categorising a patient presenting with a mental health problem)?

Has the patient taken a potentially lethal overdose that needs monitoring or treatment?

Is the patient suffering from an injury or illness that requires urgent/lifesaving medical attention or treatment?

Has the patient suffered a significant head injury or left without having a head injury assessed?

ACTION

Ring Police (101) ‘Concern for Welfare’

Complete Missing/Absconded Patient Form




LOW RISK

If the patient is deemed to have capacity i.e. considered to be able to refuse treatment

Has the patient been a victim of domestic assault, and is there a concern there will be a

repeated assault? Complete MARAC/Child Safeguarding referral if appropriate. (Note:

there is a risk to the victim if the telephone number is not safe to contact and the

perpetrator answers the phone)

Are you concerned that the patient has not arrived home safely but does not need to return

for treatment?

Was the patient appropriate for discharge e.g. normal blood results?

Did the patient leave without discharge information or medication?

Has the patient left with a cannula in-situ? Consult district nurses if you are unable to contact the patient directly

In ED was the patient suitable for self-care or deflection?

ACTION No Police involvement

Contact patient/patient’s GP if necessary This is not an exhaustive list …

Discovery of a patient that has left without completing assessment or treatment Identify if the patient is HIGH or LOW risk, refer to indicator (appendix 1)

(If you are unsure involve Nurse-in-Charge (ED)/site-coordinator and or the clinician/doctor in this decision)

Is the patient HIGH risk? No

Yes

1. Inform NIC/site-coordinator that patient is confirmed as missing. 2. Inform Security and relay Important Patient Information (TABLE 1) 3. ED - If the patient attended for the mental health reasons bleep the

Mental Health Liaison Team (3411) to ensure calling the police is necessary.

4. Attempt to contact patient via documented telephone number or next of

kin if appropriate.

1. Inform NIC/site-coordinator that you suspect a patient has absconded. 2. Perform local check of the department to attempt to locate the patient.

Advise patient not to leave the clinical area

without informing a member of staff first.

Patient Found

No Yes

LOW RISK 1. In ED, if the patient has

left before being seen with a low risk illness or injury, document and discharge as ‘Did not wait’.

2. If the patient left without routine information or TTO attempt to contact the patient via telephone and document result and inform clinician who can inform the GP if needed.

3. If the patient has left with a cannula in-situ attempt to contact the patient. If you are unable to contact the patient make an urgent district nurse referral. DO NOT CONTACT THE POLICE. N.B. For LOW RISK

missing/absconded

patients complete a

missing/absconded

patient form does NOT

need to be completed.




HIGH RISK

1. Call police on 101 2. Explain circumstances and state that there is a ‘concern for the patient’s welfare’ 3. Relay Important Patient Information to the call handler, and document the log number

4. HIGH RISK should be brought back to the ward/department if they lack capacity 5. HIGH RISK with capacity should be brought back to the department if agreeable and appropriate 6. ED - complete missing/absconded patient form and return to the missing/absconded patient file 7. Document details in nursing documentation 8. Complete Datix

Patient Found 1. Inform NIC/site-coordinator, clinician and police (if they have not returned them) that the patient has returned. 2. ED - If patient has returned they must be booked back into the ED. 3. ED - update the missing/absconded patient form in the missing/absconded patient file located in majors.

TABLE 1. Important Patient Information

1. Time/Place last seen in department 2. Patient description:

Age Gender Height Hair colour Skin colour Description of clothing Distinguishing features/behaviour

3. Any escorts/NOK with patient 4. Clinical condition/information 5. Does the patient have the capacity to refuse treatment 6. Does the patient need further clinical treatment or assessment




Appendix 2 Patient Name: Hospital Number: Last seen: Time Location Perceived Risk (circle) CF Missing/Absconded Algorithm and Indicators: HIGH LOW NIC/Co-ordinator informed: Mental Health liaison informed (circle): Yes No N/A Department search completed: Security informed (Ex 64436): Time: Attempted to contact Patient via telephone: Result of patient contact: Description for patient:-

Age:

Gender:

Height:

Hair colour:

Skin colour:

Clothing:

Build:

Distinguishing features:

Accent/language:

Any other information:

Police Informed: Time: Log number: Result/Follow up:

AIR Completed (circle): Yes No AIR Number Form completed by: Sign: Date: Please scan a copy of this form into EPR




Appendix 3




Appendix 4

Self-discharge action sheet

Please consider the following and ensure the relevant actions are taken

Yes No

1 Does the patient have the capacaity to make a decision to leave hospital

Please complete questions 2-4

Please refer to the Missing and Absconded Patient Policy (this policy)

2 Have you attempted to telephone patient and/or NOK or other contact

Go to Q3 (a) Call patient immediately to explain risks (b) Consider calling NOK/contact, however be aware that this could be seen as a breach of confidentiality

3 Has the patient left with an IV cannula inserted

Contact Rapid Response 8am-22pm or Out-of-Hours Community Nursing team for advice re visits or attendance (and see Q7)

Go to Q4

4 Has the patient other devices in place eg urinary catheter,

Contact Rapid Response 8am-22pm or Out-of-Hours Community Nursing team for advice re visits or attendance (and se Q7)

Go to Q5

5 Have you ongoing concerns regarding a patient’s health

At earliest opportunity inform patient’s GP

Document patient’s own decision to discharge self

6 Is the patient especially vulnerable

Contact social services emergency number for advice

Document patient’s own decision to discharge self

7 Could the patient be a risk to staff attending the patient’s residence?

Give details of the nature of the risk to relevant community service

n/a




Appendix 5

Police powers relating to patients missing from hospital

GMP Definition of a Missing Person Anyone whose whereabouts cannot be established and where the circumstances are out of character or the context suggests the person may be subject of crime or at risk of harm to themselves or others.

Powers to Return Missing Patients and Enter Property

Powers to Return Missing Patients and Enter Property

Patient’s Capacity

Public Place Private Place

Power to

Enter Power to Return Power to Enter Power to Return

Patient has

capacity N/A

No power to return

No power to enter unless to save “life & limb” ie they have a

condition that may be life threatening if they

do not receive immediate medical

treatment

No power to return

Patient does not

have capacity

N/A

Yes, police have power to return if

patient lacks capacity and is in need of

immediate medical attention (Cannot be used to obtain MHA

assessment)

No power to enter unless to save “life &

limb” (as above)

Yes, police have power to return if

patient lacks capacity and is in need of

immediate medical attention (Cannot be used to obtain MHA

assessment)

Patient has

Mental Health Issues

N/A

No power to return unless they are

detained under s.2 or s.3 of the MHA or

s.136 below applies.

No power to enter unless to save “life & limb” (as above) or

s.135 warrant is obtained by mental health professionals

No power to return unless they are

detained under s.2 or s.3 of the MHA

If a constable finds in a place to which the public have access, a person who appears to him to be suffering from mental disorder and to be in immediate need of care or control, the constable may, if he thinks it necessary to do so in the interests of that person or for the protection of others, remove that person to a place of safety within the meaning of S.136 above

Remember;

Police cannot insist or force a person with capacity to return to hospital

Police are not formally trained to assess a person’s capacity

Police cannot remove cannulas

Police are not qualified to assess a person’s mental health




Police can only enter an address by force in cases of emergency in order to save life and limb

Consider;

Why are you calling the police?

What do you want to achieve from police involvement?

Is it appropriate to call the police?

Do the police have the powers?