3.2 Mental Health Act 1992 Flashcards
What is a mental disorder in relation to any person?
- An abnormal state of mind (continuous or intermitted) characterised by
- delusions, disorders of mood, perception, volition or cognition of such a degree that it
- poses a serious danger to that person or of others or
- seriously diminishes the capacity of that person to take care of her/him self
Under section 109 - mentally affected person in a public place.
What powers to Police have?
Answer:
- If a person is found wondering at large in any pubic place
- Acting in a manner that gives rise
- That he or she may be mentally disordered, police may
- Take that person to a Police Station, hospital or other appropriate place
and - Arrange for a mental health practitioner to examine the person
If the mental health practitioner believes an assessment examination is needed then a constable
- Can continue to detain at that place or
- Take the person to some other place nominated by the mental health practitioner for an assessment examination
Cannot be detained for longer than 6 hours
In relation to providing mental health services
Who does the responsibility lie with?
Answer:
- The responsibility for providing services rests primarily with mental health services
- but Police provide assistance where legislation provides for Police intervention
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Police and Ministry of Health covers:
Answer:
- Responsibilities, transportation of patients and use of force and it states that the DAO is the official in charge at any incident under AH Act 1992
- Provides that where a person needs to be assessed under Mental Health Act 1992, that this should take place in the least restrictive environment possible
- A person intoxicated should not delay any mental health assessment
What is the role of a DAO?
Answer:
A DAO is required to investigate and decide whether or not the person needs to have a medical examination and whether this is required urgently
In Section 42 - Assisting a DAO,
What does this allow Police to do?
Answer:
Powers under s41 are as follows:
- May enter the premises where that person is
- if not in uniform, produce ID that you are a Constable
- Detain a person to enable urgent medical examination
- Hold for up to 6 hours, or for only as long as the exam takes
- Assist the DAO to take a person who is sectioned to a place where the medical examination will be conducted
- return patient to place of assessment (hospital)
If it is reasonably practicable to obtain a warrant, a Constable must not exercise the power to enter without a warrant
Section 110 - Assisting a medical practitioner
What are you authorised to do?
- Assist the medical practitioner when called upon so an urgent examination can be completed
- If the medical practitioner issues a certificate that a person needs to be sedated due to significant damage to self or others you can help the doctor to administer the drug (restrain the person)
- When a person is undergoing an assessment you can help the doctor who is carrying out the assessment
How long can you detain a person when using the mental health powers?
Answer:
- For up to 6 hours or the time it takes to complete the examination, whichever is shorter
What are Police powers when assisting a DAO/Medical practitioner and duties that come with this?
- Each power allows police to enter the premises where the person is
- And use reasonable force
Note: you can only use force in emergency situations when assisting a medical practitioner
- You must produce ID if not in uniform
- BOR to be given
What authority of Police have under the mental health act to enter private property?
- Unless assisting a DAO or medical practitioner
- Police have no power under the Mental Health act
- To enter private property or to detain a person on private property
What are the other options (powers of entry) when dealing with mentally affected people on private property?
- Police have an implied license to enter private property, if asked to leave and there is no lawful justification to stay you must leave
Section 41 CA 1961 - Allow you to use such force to prevent suicide or commission or an offence that would likely cause serious injury to any person or serious damage to any property
Section 7 S&S - Enter and search and arrest a person who is unlawfully at large
Section 8 S&S - Enter and search and arrest a person to prevent person from avoiding arrest or CADD
Section 14 S&S - Enter private premise if you suspect on reasonable grounds that your entry will stop or prevent an offence from being committed that may injury someone or damage property or causes serious loss of property
Section 38 Mental Health Act - Assistance from DAO when person may need an assessment
Urgent / not urgent
- Anyone who believes that a person may be suffering from a mental disorder may at any time request the assistance of a DAO
- The DAO must investigate the matter and decide on RG if the person making the request is genuine and the person whom the request relates is suffering from a mental disorder
- If they decide it’s not urgent, but the person does need to be assessed, they arrange for a doctor to examine the person with a view of issuing a certificate under section 8
- If it is urgent, arrange for a doctor to come and see that person with a a view of issuing a certificate under section 8. If they can’t see that person, try to get that person to go willingly to the doctor
- If the person refuses to go, section 41 comes into play.
Using force under the Mental Health Act:
- If you do use force what must you do?
- If assisting in an emergency helping a DAO, you can use force as reasonably necessary in the circumstances
- If force is more than minimal or inconsequential force, you must completed a TOR.
- This report is collated and forwarded to the Director of Mental Health Services on your behalf
What must you ensure before using force against the 1M?
What must be done/said by the DAO to you?
- If the person is being transported for an assessment under S9, 11 or 13, do not use force unless a health professional has issued a notice under the relevant section and this has been explained to the patient
- The notice states the reason for the assessment, the time and place of the assessment and the person who will perform it.
The person cannot be moved without this
What are some of the reasons in which the procedure for a mental health assessment should not be invoked? (5)
Answer:
Simply because of a person’s
- Criminal delinquent behaviour
- Political, religious or cultural belief
- Intellectual disability
- Sexual preferences
- Substance abuse
