THE scheme to permanently station two police officers within Blackburn’s emergency department will help establish ‘clearer pathways’ for troublesome patients, said health chief Dr Mike Ions.

As reported on Thursday, the £80,000 project was agreed after police chiefs held talks with NHS officials over the high number of call-outs to the Royal Blackburn Hospital, often to deal with drunk and abusive patients who have complex problems.

Dr Ions, chief clinical officer at East Lancashire Clinical Commissiong Group, said: “By establishing clearer pathways into other services the individuals will benefit from care which better meets their needs and is tailored to specifically help them.

“It allows key services to better meet the needs of those individuals who require their support.”