Derek Laird, CEO of HTG-UK said:
“We have been carefully looking to diversify our business for some time now, in particular the secure mental health transport sector.
In much the same way that we are highly selective with our NEPTS bids for new contracts, we have spent time seeking the right partnership through which to extend our service offering secure mental health transport.
As soon as we met up with Laura and Paddy Lovatt from Therapeutic Response, in support of our Cornwall contract, it was clear their ethos and approach to patient care was exactly what we have been looking for.
Their drive and aspiration to provide a genuine therapeutic response for their patients was palpable.
We have since worked with Therapeutic Response on the delivery of secure transport within our contract in Norfolk and Waveney and are keen to grow this innovative approach to care in other regions nationally.”
Therapeutic Response Ambulance Service was started in recognition that mental health transport services are often the first responders to patients in their most vulnerable moments. They have an important responsibility in building trust and connection, needed not only to provide a safe journey, but also a hopeful start to their patient’s recovery.
Therapeutic Response have used evidence-based practice and expert clinical leadership to create an industry first: with trauma sensitive crews, therapeutically designed bespoke vehicles and a core culture of empathy and advocacy, they have significantly reduced reliance on restrictive intervention in 94% of journeys.
Dr Laura Lovatt said:
“Together, we believe all patients in need of secure mental health services are deserving of being treated with dignity and compassion and will ensure this alliance will lead to many more patients experiencing Therapeutic, Trauma Informed and Least Restrictive mental health transport.”
We would like to welcome Dr Laura Lovatt, Clinical Psychologist and Paddy Lovatt, Mental Health Nurse and their extended team to the HTG-UK family. They will continue to lead on nurturing and growing our new specialist mental health transport division.