Lecture 7a

Question 1

Why did the Burdekin Report begin?

Answer 1

• Widespread ignorance about the nature and prevalence of MI
• Widespread discrimination and misconception about MI people being dangerous
• Widespread belief that few people affected by MI never recover

Question 2

What were the findings from the Burdekin Report?

Answer 2

• Widespread, systematic discrimination
• Consistently denied rights and services
• Shift to community care has increased burden on carers without adequate support
• Inadequate mechanisms for grievances
• Exclusion from employment causes inequity and poverty
• Unable to participate in edu and training

Question 3

What are the Mental Health Acts objectives?

Answer 3

• Improve and maintain health and wellbeing or persons who have a mental illness who do not have the capacity to consent to be treated
• Enable persons to be diverted from the criminal justice system if found to have been of unsound mind at the time
• Protect the community if persons diverted may be at risk of harming others

Question 4

What are the stages of involuntary assessment and treatment?

Answer 4

1. Examination of a person
   - If a recommendation for assessment should be made then:
2. Assessment of the person
3. The making of a treatment authority
   - Authorising involuntary care and treatment

Question 5

How can ‘examination happen’?

Answer 5

By consent
- Doctor or authorised mental health practitioner can examine
- Considered to have a capacity to consent if one is able to understand:
>he/she is unwell or has symptoms or MI
>what his/her treatment will involve and why
>the benefits of the treatment and the risks, as well as alternative options
>potential consequences if he/she chooses to not receive the treatment
>make a decision about treatment and communicate their decision
Under an emergency examination authority
- Issued by Mental Health Review Tribunal
- Can be:
>administrator of an authorised mental health service
>person authorised in writing by the administrator
>person who was received advice from a doctor

Question 6

Recommendation for assessment details

Answer 6

• Must be made within seven days after the examination
• Treatment criteria need to apply
• Appears to be no less restrictive ways for the person to receive treatment and care for their mental illness

Question 7

Treatment authorities details

Answer 7

• Doctor makes it

Question 8

Who is a guardian?

Answer 8

• Person appointed by Tribunal to make personal and lifestyle decisions for an adult with impaired capacity

Question 9

What is an administrator?

Answer 9

• Person appointed by Tribunal to make financial and legal decisions related to financial matters on behalf on an adult who is unable to do so themselves

Question 10

What is a community visitor?

Answer 10

• Someone to inspect visitable sites and ensure the interests of adult are being safeguarded

Question 11

What are some restrictive practices?

Answer 11

• Containment
• Seclusion
• Chemical, mechanical or physical restraint
• Restricting access to an object