Use of the Mental Health (Scotland) Act (1984) in south Glasgow

2003 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 141-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
John R. Taylor ◽  
K. B. Idris
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Information System ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hand Search ◽  
Health Officer ◽  
Mental Health Legislation ◽  
Health Legislation

Aims and MethodA cross-sectional survey of the use of the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984 in a defined urban area. Patients initially detained under civil sections (Sections 24, 25, 26 and 18) between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998 were identified using the hospital information system and a hand search of section papers.ResultsThere were 283 detentions involving 204 patients that lasted a median of 6 days. A total of 98% of patients were initially detained on a 72-hour ‘emergency section’. A total of 61% had non-organic psychotic disorders (172/283). Less than half of detentions were during the working week. Consent was usually provided by the mental health officer or relatives, but was not provided for 11% of detentions. Patients detained after admission were more likely to be detained for a longer period (29 v. 3 days) and to have their detention extended over 72 hours (64% v. 41%) compared with those detained in the community.Clinical ImplicationsThis paper provides information on some of the gaps identified by recent reviews of mental health legislation in Scotland and discusses the possible impact of the changes proposed by the Millan Committee. The workload of general adult consultant psychiatrists is likely to increase and the proportion of patients detained without consent could also increase. The study supports the differentiation of patients detained after admission from those detained in the community, as the patterns of detention are different.

scholarly journals Use of the Mental Health (Scotland) Act (1984) in south Glasgow

2003 ◽  
Vol 27 (04) ◽  
pp. 141-144
Author(s):  
John R. Taylor ◽  
K. B. Idris
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Information System ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hand Search ◽  
Health Officer ◽  
Mental Health Legislation ◽  
Health Legislation

Aims and Method A cross-sectional survey of the use of the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984 in a defined urban area. Patients initially detained under civil sections (Sections 24, 25, 26 and 18) between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998 were identified using the hospital information system and a hand search of section papers. Results There were 283 detentions involving 204 patients that lasted a median of 6 days. A total of 98% of patients were initially detained on a 72-hour ‘emergency section’. A total of 61% had non-organic psychotic disorders (172/283). Less than half of detentions were during the working week. Consent was usually provided by the mental health officer or relatives, but was not provided for 11% of detentions. Patients detained after admission were more likely to be detained for a longer period (29 v. 3 days) and to have their detention extended over 72 hours (64% v. 41%) compared with those detained in the community. Clinical Implications This paper provides information on some of the gaps identified by recent reviews of mental health legislation in Scotland and discusses the possible impact of the changes proposed by the Millan Committee. The workload of general adult consultant psychiatrists is likely to increase and the proportion of patients detained without consent could also increase. The study supports the differentiation of patients detained after admission from those detained in the community, as the patterns of detention are different.

Attitudes and experiences of nursing staff to the Mental Health Act 2001: lessons for future mental health legislation

2014 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 83-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Doherty ◽  
F. Jabbar ◽  
B. D. Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Nursing Staff ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mental Health Act ◽  
Clinical Nursing ◽  
Mental Health Legislation ◽  
Paper Work ◽  
Health Legislation ◽  
The Impact

ObjectivesThe Mental Health Act 2001 was implemented in 2006 to bring Ireland into line with international practice and United Nations Conventions on Human Rights. Previous studies have reported some practical difficulties for the professionals involved. We wished to examine the experiences of nursing staff and the impact of the Act on clinical nursing practice since its implementation.MethodThis cross-sectional survey was conducted by questionnaire. It contained questions examining training in and attitudes to the Act, and any resultant changes in nursing practise.ResultsA total of 317 questionnaires were returned. Of the nurses, 92% reported having received training in the Act, and 56% of nursing staff believed that their workload had increased as a result of the change in legislation. Of those who made a comment, 76.5% were negative, with increased paper work, lack of clarity and an excessive focus on legalities being the most common difficulties reported.ConclusionsNursing staff have shown mixed attitudes to the Mental Health Act 2001, but many of the difficulties encountered are similar to those experienced by other professionals.

Learning disability and the Scottish Mental Health Act

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 74-82
Author(s):  
Heather Welsh ◽  
Gary Morrison
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Learning Disability ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mental Health Legislation ◽  
Scottish Government ◽  
Health Legislation

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the use of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 for people with learning disabilities in Scotland, in the context of the recent commitment by the Scottish Government to review the place of learning disability (LD) within the Act. Design/methodology/approach All current compulsory treatment orders (CTO) including LD as a type of mental disorder were identified and reviewed. Data was collected on duration and type of detention (hospital or community based) for all orders. For those with additional mental illness and/or personality disorder, diagnoses were recorded. For those with LD only, symptoms, severity of LD and treatment were recorded. Findings In total, 11 per cent of CTOs included LD as a type of mental disorder. The majority of these also included mental illness. The duration of detention for people with LD only was almost double that for those without LD. A variety of mental illness diagnoses were represented, psychotic disorders being the most common (54 per cent). Treatment was broad and multidisciplinary. In all, 87 per cent of people with LD only were prescribed psychotropic medication authorised by CTO. Originality/value There has been limited research on the use of mental health legislation for people with learning disabilities. This project aids understanding of current practice and will be of interest to readers both in Scotland and further afield. It will inform the review of LD as a type of mental disorder under Scottish mental health law, including consideration of the need for specific legislation.

scholarly journals Medical certification of incapacity in guardianship applications: conceptualising capacity

2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-44
Author(s):  
Tom C. Russ ◽  
Alison Thomson ◽  
Donald Lyons
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Due Process ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Medical Practitioners ◽  
Medical Certification ◽  
Mental Health Legislation ◽  
Medical Reports ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Health Legislation

Aims and methodTo examine how capacity is recorded in practice and compare this with the statutory definition, medical reports accompanying a random 10% sample (183 applications; 360 reports) of guardianship applications granted in 2011–2012 were examined.ResultsClinicians did not explicitly use the statutory definition of capacity in 47.5% of reports. Over half of applications (56.4%) did not explicitly link the powers sought with the patient's vulnerabilities; such a link was less common in older adults (P = 0.0175).Clinical implicationsGuardianship orders can justify deprivation of liberty. Therefore it is important that such cases involve a thorough assessment of the person and that due process is followed, including adherence to the statutory definition of capacity. Practice could be improved by altering the paperwork required of medical practitioners, in line with mental health legislation. In addition, these findings should inform current legislation reform.

The effect of changes to Australian Capital Territory mental health legislation on rates of emergency detention

2021 ◽  
pp. 103985622199263
Author(s):  
Miriam Saffron ◽  
Deepa Singhal
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Psychiatric Treatment ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Australian Capital Territory ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Australian Capital ◽  
Period 2 ◽  
Mental Health Legislation ◽  
Health Legislation

Objectives: The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) changed from the Mental Health (Treatment and Care) Act 1994 (ACT) to the Mental Health Act 2015 (ACT) on 1 March 2016. The objective was to find the association between legislative changes and detention rates. Methods: A cross-sectional study of involuntary order rates in the period 3 years before the legislative change was undertaken. Chi-squared analysis was performed to compare proportions. Results: There was a statistically significant decrease in the proportion of Psychiatric Treatment Orders (PTOs) over the two periods, which could be impacted by the change from a period of detention for 7 days to a period of detention of 11 days in Period 2. On the other hand, the total number of Emergency Actions (EAs) increased in Period 2, where ambulance officers could detain patients. Conclusion: The change in mental health legislation in the ACT was associated with a change in detention rates, in particular a decrease in the proportion of PTOs and an increase in EAs. Further study needs to be undertaken, given changes to frontline supports since the study period ended.

scholarly journals Before and after: introduction of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003

2007 ◽  
Vol 31 (10) ◽  
pp. 374-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Smith ◽  
Tom White
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Royal Hospital ◽  
Mental Health Legislation ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Adult Psychiatry ◽  
Health Legislation ◽  
The Impact

Aims and MethodThe aim of the study was to assess the impact of the introduction of new mental health legislation in October 2005 on general adult psychiatry admissions. Patients were included in the study if they were admitted to Murray Royal Hospital, Perth from December 2004 to July 2005 and December 2005 to July 2006.ResultsFewer patients were detained but they were more likely to progress to longer-term detentions. Overall detained patients remained in hospital for shorter periods.Clinical ImplicationsThe change in de novo detention procedures reduced the number of de novo detentions. The new power to enforce medication in the community may have contributed to the reduced length of detention in hospital.

scholarly journals Advance statements: survey of patients' views and understanding

2007 ◽  
Vol 31 (9) ◽  
pp. 339-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Foy ◽  
Alison Macrae ◽  
Alex Thom ◽  
Ajay Macharouthu
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Treatment Preferences ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Loss Of Control ◽  
Mental Health Legislation ◽  
Advance Statements ◽  
Types Of Information ◽  
Health Legislation

Aims and MethodA survey of patients was undertaken to determine their knowledge and understanding of advance statements (a new addition to Scottish mental health legislation introduced with the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003). Few patients have taken up this facility and this study attempts to identify potential explanations.ResultsA minority of the initial 58 participants had heard of advance statements prior to the survey (5 of 58, 8.6%). After issuing information about advance statements, awareness and understanding increased significantly among those who completed the study, with 59% (16 of 27) now understanding the concept. The types of information that patients wished to be documented in an advance statement fell into two broad groups: treatment preferences and statements regarding loss of control and autonomy. Out of 27 participants 19 (70%) stated they would now consider drawing up an advance statement.Clinical ImplicationsA lack of knowledge among patients about the existence of advance statements is highlighted. After a brief intervention, awareness, understanding and interest increased significantly, suggesting that poor uptake could be because of lack of awareness. Most participants would consult mental health professionals when drawing up an advance statement, therefore we have a responsibility to be fully informed about the process.

scholarly journals How safe are patient interview rooms?

2007 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen L. Campbell ◽  
Nicole K. Fung
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Medical Staff ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Patient Interview ◽  
Alarm Systems ◽  
Health Trust

Aims and MethodA cross-sectional survey was conducted to investigate the safety of rooms used by medical staff to interview patients in out-patient and in-patient settings of a mental health trust. An assessment tool was designed, and examined the features of an interview room that were likely to promote safety.ResultsThe survey included 112 rooms and demonstrated shortcomings that compromised interview room safety. Rooms were frequently overcrowded with furniture (n=30), cluttered with loose objects (n=101, 90%) and used for multiple purposes (n=82, 73%). Room layout often compromised either access to alarm systems (n=51, 46%) or exit from rooms (n=99, 88%). Necessary facilities for summoning assistance were found to be lacking.Clinical ImplicationsThe safety of interview rooms has not been emphasised sufficiently within everyday working practice and should be revisited.

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