The use of guardianship in mental handicap services

1995 ◽  
Vol 19 (12) ◽  
pp. 725-727 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Whitworth ◽  
Shashi Singhal
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Learning Disability ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Mentally Handicapped ◽  
Mental Impairment ◽  
Mental Handicap ◽  
Mental Health Act ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Health Districts

There has been little published on the use of Guardianship Orders in mental handicap (the term ‘mental handicap’ is used rather than ‘people with learning disability’ to avoid ambiguity). Its use in the mental handicap services in four health districts in the Mersey region was surveyed. The study was retrospective, covering a five year period ending August 1994. Guardianship was used on ten occasions. Health professionals have been divided over the interpretation of the definition of “mental impairment” in the Mental Health Act (MHA) 1983. They have tended to exclude many mentally handicapped adults who do not, in their opinion, exhibit “abnormally aggressive or seriously irresponsible conduct”. It is clearly shown by our study that some health professionals are willing to classify self-neglect and vulnerability as “seriously irresponsible conduct”, thererefore allowing wider usage of the order.

scholarly journals The case for removing intellectual disability and autism from the Mental Health Act

2019 ◽  
Vol 215 (5) ◽  
pp. 633-635
Author(s):  
Sheila Hollins ◽  
Keri-Michèle Lodge ◽  
Paul Lomax
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Learning Disability ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Mental Health Act ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Serious Mental Illnesses

SummaryIntellectual disability (also known as learning disability in UK health services) and autism are distinct from the serious mental illnesses for which the Mental Health Act is designed to be used. Their inclusion in the definition of mental disorder is discriminatory, resulting in unjust deprivations of liberty. Intellectual disability and autism should be excluded from the Mental Health Act.Declaration of interestNone.

scholarly journals Pattern of hospital admission before and following the Mental Health Act 1983

1989 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 182-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. K. Durani ◽  
R. Ford
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychiatric Practice ◽  
Duration Of Treatment ◽  
Mental Impairment ◽  
Mental Health Act ◽  
Holding Power ◽  
Assessment And Treatment ◽  
Age Limits ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Psychopathic Disorder

The Mental Health Act brought a number of signficant changes to psychiatric practice. Among the most important were changes in the process of compulsory admissions. Other notable alterations have been a change in the definition of the nearest relative; a reduction in duration of treatment section by a half; a right to appeal against their detention by all patients; the observation section becoming an assessment and treatment section; the introduction of nurses holding power; the removal of age limits for admission of patients with psychopathic disorder and mental impairment, and the introduction of the treatability clause. These and other important differences could be expected to interact with social work and psychiatric practice to influence the number of compulsory admissions. Previous correspondence has examined this question, to which we add our findings.

Mental handicap and the general practitioner

1978 ◽  
Vol 16 (24) ◽  
pp. 93-96
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
General Practitioner ◽  
Medical Treatment ◽  
Mental Deficiency ◽  
Educational Assessment ◽  
Intelligence Test ◽  
Mentally Handicapped ◽  
Mental Handicap ◽  
Mental Health Act ◽  
And Training

The condition in which a lack of intelligence may interfere with the competence of an individual to care for himself is officially called ‘subnormality’ (‘mental deficiency’ in Scotland), but generally the term ‘mental handicap’ is used. The Mental Health Act of 1959 defines subnormality mainly in terms of the needs for medical treatment and training, and severe subnormality in sociological terms. The clinical and educational assessment is customarily supplemented by the intelligence test, to categorise the mentally handicapped.

Amendments to the Mental Health Act 1983: implications for people with learning disabilities

2009 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-8
Author(s):  
Ian Hall ◽  
Afia Ali
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Learning Disability ◽  
Community Treatment ◽  
Health Practitioner ◽  
Professional Roles ◽  
Mental Health Practitioner ◽  
Mental Health Act ◽  
Definition Of

The new Mental Health Act 2007 substantially amends the Mental Health Act 1983. In this article, some of the most important changes are highlighted, including changes to the definition of mental disorder, the new professional roles of approved mental health practitioner and responsible clinician, and the new powers for Supervised Community Treatment. The likely impact of these changes for people with learning disability and professionals working with them is discussed.

scholarly journals Consent to Treatment by the Mentally Ill and Mentally Handicapped—An Anomaly in the Mental Health Act 1983

1983 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. 145-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bridgit C. Dimond
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mentally Ill ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Mentally Handicapped ◽  
Mental Health Act ◽  
Consent To Treatment

I would like to bring to light an apparent oversight in the new statutory rules relating to consent to treatment by the mentally ill and mentally handicapped. This will have very serious consequences for the management of patients who are on short-term detention orders. The provisions relating to consent to treatment set out in Part IV of the Mental Health Act 1983 are the first attempt to cover by statutory controls the doctor's clinical freedom to prescribe treatment for his compulsorily detained patient. In addition, certain of the new provisions (which take effect from 30 September 1983) apply to the voluntary patients as well.

scholarly journals Spirituality and Mental Health Care in a Religiously Homogeneous Country: Definitions, Opinions, and Practices Among Polish Mental Health Professionals

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edyta Charzyńska ◽  
Irena Heszen-Celińska
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Specific Context ◽  
Spirituality In Therapy ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Insufficient Knowledge ◽  
Human Characteristic

Abstract This qualitative study involved a sample of 121 Polish mental health professionals who were interviewed about their definitions of spirituality and their opinions and practices concerning the inclusion of clients’ spirituality in therapy. Using inductive content analysis, we identified seven categories regarding the definitions of spirituality: (1) relationship, (2) transcendence, (3) dimension of functioning, (4) a specific human characteristic, (5) searching for the meaning of life, (6) value-based lifestyle, and (7) elusiveness and indefinability. The majority of respondents claimed to include elements of spirituality in therapy. However, some participants included spirituality only under certain circumstances or conditions, or did not include it at all, citing lack of need, lack of a clear definition of spirituality, their own insufficient knowledge, lack of experience, fear, or concern over ethical inappropriateness. Implicit techniques were primarily used when working on clients’ spirituality. This article deepens the knowledge on including spirituality in mental health care, with special consideration for a specific context of a highly religious and religiously homogenous culture.

scholarly journals Why Do Approved Mental Health Professionals Think Detentions under the Mental Health Act Are Rising and What Do They Think Should Be Done about It?

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 616-633 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Bonnet ◽  
Nicola Moran
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Social Risk ◽  
Social Risk Factors ◽  
Mental Health Act ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The number of people detained under the 1983 Mental Health Act has risen significantly in recent years and has recently been the subject of an independent review. Most existing research into the rise in detentions has tended to prioritise the perspectives of psychiatrists and failed to consider the views of Approved Mental Health Professionals (AMHPs), usually social workers, who ultimately determine whether detention is appropriate. This mixed-methods study focused on AMHPs’ views on the reasons behind the rise in detentions and potential solutions. It included a national online survey of AMHPs (n = 160) and semi-structured interviews with six AMHPs within a Community Mental Health Team in England. AMHPs reported that demand for mental health services vastly exceeded supply and, due to inadequate resources, more people were being detained in hospital. AMHPs argued that greater investment in preventative mental health services and ‘low intensity’ support would help to mitigate the impact of social risk factors on mental health; and greater investment in crisis services, including non-medical alternatives to hospital, was required. Such investment at either end of the spectrum was expected to be more effective than changes to the law and lead to better outcomes for mental health service users.

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