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Flashcards in The Mental Health Act (sectioning) Deck (26)
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1
Q

Definitions - patient:

A

A person who is or appears to be suffering from a mental disorder

2
Q

Definitions - Nearest Relative:

A

Patients do not necessarily have a nearest relative. When legislation requires people to consult, inform or notify nearest relatives it typically refers to “the person (if any) who appears to be the nearest relative. The patient may request who they wish to be classed as their nearest relative”

3
Q

Definitions - Mental Disorder:

A

Any disorder or disability of the mind. (Neurosis, Psychosis, Organic, Personality Disorders, Behavioural change due to brain damage, Mental and behavioural disorder due to psychoactive substance abuse and other delusional disorders, Depression, Bi-polar, Phobias, OCD, PTSD, Hypochondriacal, Eating disorder, Non-organic sleep or sexual disorder, Antisocial personality disorder, Learning disabilities, Autism)

4
Q

Mental Disorder Exclusions - dependence

A

Alcohol or drug dependence are excluded from the definition of mental disorder.

A person cannot be detained simply because they are dependent.

Dependant patients may develop mental illness due to dependency, this however can be treated.

5
Q

Mental Disorder Exclusions - Substance abuse caused MD

A

Any disorder due to prolonged abuse i.e. withdrawal state delirium or mental disorders associated with prolonged abuse of drugs or alcohol.

Severe acute intoxication may justify use of the powers in the act, provided all relevant criteria are met.

6
Q

Compulsory Detention (time period) - section 2

A

Up to 28 days for assessment (non renewable)

7
Q

Compulsory Detention (time period) - section 3

A

Up to 6 months for treatment (renewable)

8
Q

Compulsory Detention (time period) - section 4

A

72 hours for emergency assessment

9
Q

Section 131

A

Informal admission (no time limit, patient can change mind at any time)

10
Q

Section 135

A

Assessment in private premises (admission for 72 hours)

11
Q

Section 136

A

Detained in a public place (by police). (admission for 72 hours)

12
Q

Section 2 - details

A

A mental disorder which warrants detention in hospital (for 28 days) to allow the assessment of, followed by medical treatment; A patient who needs to be detained for their own health or safety, or for that of others.

13
Q

Section 2 - criteria for use

A

The diagnosis and prognosis of a patients condition is unclear.

There is a need to carry out an in-patient assessment in order to formulate a treatment plan

A judgement has to be made as to whether a particular treatment proposal, which can only be administered to the patient using the powers in part 4 of the act, is likely to be effective.

The condition of a patient who has already been assessed, and who has previously been compulsory admitted under the Act, is judges to have changed since the previous admission, or it is uncertain whether it has changed, and further assessment is needed.

The patient has not previously been admitted to hospital either compulsorily or informally and has not been in regular contact with the specialist mental health services and it has not been possible to formulate a treatment plan.

14
Q

Application for Section 2 admission can be by either:

A

Nearest Relative
or
AMHP who must have interviewed the patient and be satisfied that the detention is appropriate.

15
Q

Recommendations for admission is made by?

A

two doctors, one of whom must be an approved doctor. The patient must be examined by both doctors, singly or together, within 5 days of each other.

16
Q

Section 3 - details

A

Admission for 6 months, renewable for a further 6 months and then for a period of up to a year at a time, for the treatment of:
Severe mental illness
Severe mental impairment
Disorder of a nature or degree which makes medical treatment in hospital appropriate.

17
Q

Section 3 - pointers for use

A

The patient is detained under section 2 and assessment indicates a need for treatment under the Act for a period beyond the 28 day detention under section 2.

The patient is considered to need compulsory admission for the treatment of a mental disorder which is already known to their clinical team, and has been assessed in the recent past by that team. In these circumstances it may be right to use section 3 even where the patient has not previously been admitted as an in-patient.

18
Q

Application for Section 3

A

Is the same as section 2, but the AMHP cannot make an application if the nearest relative objects.

19
Q

Recommendation for Section 3

A

Recommendation for admission is the same as for section 2.

Made by two doctors, one of whom must be an approved doctor. The patient must be examined by both doctors, singly or together, within 5 days of each other.

20
Q

Section 4 - details

A

Admission for a period of 72 hours for urgent admission.

The patient can be placed under section 2 or 4 after examination.

21
Q

Application for Section 4

A

Application for admission can only be made by the nearest relative or AMHP so long as they have seen the patient within the preceding 24 hours.

22
Q

Recommendation for Section 4

A

Recommendation for admission can be made by 1 doctor, preferably with previous knowledge of the patient.

23
Q

Section 131 - details

A

Voluntary admission

The patient voluntarily agrees to be admitted but can change their mind at any time.

There is no time limit.

24
Q

Section 135 - details

A

Admission period of 72 hours.

A person suffering from a mental illness can be removed from a private dwelling to a place of safety (hospital) by a police officer or an approved social worker.

A magistrates warrant is required.

25
Q

Section 136 - details

A

Admission for a period of 72 hours.

A person suffering form mental illness can be removed form a public place to a place of safety (hospital) by a police officer or AMHP.

26
Q

Patients under section procedure

A

Documents must be signed by nearest relative or AMHP and one or two doctors (depending on which section is being used)

Compulsory removal can be carried out by the applicant or authorised persons, i.e. ambulance staff.

Police may be called is a violent incident occurs or is likely to occur (to prevent a breach of the peace).