Mental Health

Question 0

If you have removed a person from a public place what must you record? How long can you detain them for?

Answer 0

Name & address
Date & time they were removed
Why they were removed
Address of place of safety
If they went to a police station, why.
As soon as practicable must inform local health authority of details, and persons next of kin. 
Must also inform commissioner of details within 14 days
Detain for up to 24 hours

Question 1

If you find a person in a public place, apparently suffering from a mental disorder what do you do?

Answer 1

Remove them to a place of safety, to allow a medical practitioner to examine them and make arrangements for care

Question 2

When and How can you remove a person from a private place?

Answer 2

A removal order can be applied for and granted if the person is >16, has a mental disorder and:
Is being ill treated, or
Living alone and can’t look after themselves, or
Their property may suffer loss or damage
AND
They are likely to suffer harm if not removed

Question 3

What does a removal order authorise?

Answer 3

To enter a premises with a mental health officer or other person specified, with force necessary and to remove the person to a place of safety.
Order must be executed within 72 hours
Can detain for up to 7 days

Question 4

How can a removal order be issued in urgent circumstances?

Answer 4

If circumstances are such that waiting for an application would be prejudicial to the person.
Order is granted by JP.
Same rules apply to urgent and non urgent

Question 5

What powers exist for compulsory treatment order breaches?

Answer 5

A PC, mental health officer, or hospital staff can take the person into custody and return the appropriate place.
Only if in a place a PC has a right to be- public or private and on invitation, otherwise need a warrant.

Question 6

What happens if a person breaching a compulsory treatment order absconds to a private place?

Answer 6

Sheriff or JP can grant a warrant.
Must be executed by a PC AND mental health officer,
Can use reasonable force and take person to plCe of safety.

Question 7

What powers exist for an initial examination of a person who has not been diagnosed with a mental health disorder?

Answer 7

If a person would not agree to an assessment and friends/relatives were concerned, Sec 35. Allows a warrant to be issued to detain the person for 3 hours to allow a medical examination

Question 8

What offences exist in relation to mentally disorders people?

Answer 8

An offence for a carer to wilfully ill treat or neglect

To induce or assist (or attempt) a patient to abscond from care, or to harbour a patient

To obstruct any person exercising any function of the act (warrants/removal orders etc)

Question 9

What can a compulsory treatment order stipulate?

Answer 9

That a person is:
Detained in hospital, or
Kept in the charge of an authorised person
Resides at a specified address
Must get approval to move