Mental Health

Question 1

What is a Special Patient?

Answer 1

They are detained by the way of a court order if they are found to be criminally insane or unfit to plead

Question 2

What are Restricted Patients?

Answer 2

They are subject to a compulsory treatment order but are considered to present a danger to the public.

Question 3

What are patients subject to Compulsory Treatment Orders?

Answer 3

They may be apprehended and returned/taken to hospital if apprehended within three months of going missing.

Question 4

What is the time limit for detention?

Answer 4

6 hours

Question 5

What are DAOs?

Answer 5

Duly Authorised Officers: Qualified nurses who have specialised in the area of mental health then received further training on an ongoing basis

Question 6

What are you powers to use as much force reasonably necessary in an emergency?

Answer 6

• A power to take or retake a person, proposed patient or patient
• A power to detail a person, proposed patient or patient in sections 41, 109, or 110
• Anpower to enter premisesnin sections 41 or 110

Question 7

How would you use force during transport?

Answer 7

Do not use force to transport a patient without ensuring that an assessment notice has been served and explained to them. Force can be used in only in circumstances where it is likely the patient will be a danger to themselves or others, or be likely to cause serious property damage. Seek wishes of the caregiver or patient wherever practically possible.

Question 8

What is section 109?

Answer 8

Mentally disordered people in public places

• Any members of police may apprehend
• Any person wandering at large in a public place
• Behaving in a manner that gives rise to a reasonable belief that he/she may be mentally disordered
• The member believes itnisnin the interest of the person or public to do so

Question 9

What is section 41?

Answer 9

Assisting a Duly Authorised Officer

• Any member of Police called upon in such circumstances may
• Enter the premises by force if necessary
• Detain person in those premises until the assessment examination has be conducted
• Take the person to some other place nominated by the DAO for the purposes of a medical examination or an assessment examination, and detain at the location until the examination has been conducted.

Question 10

What is section 110?

Answer 10

Authority of doctor

• When a medical practitioner has examined a person and believes they are mentally disordered, that doctor can issue a certificate to accompany the assessment application.

Question 11

What is section 110A?

Answer 11

Use of sedatives

• The doctor issuing the certificate may administer a sedative to the proposed patient if they consider it necessary

Question 12

What is section 110C?

Answer 12

Police powers of entry when urgent assistance is needed

• Any member of the Police called upon in such circumstances may
• Enter the premises by force if necessary
• Detain the person in those premises until the assessment examination has been conducted
  OR
• Take the person to some other place nominated by the medical practitioner, for the purpose of a medical examination or an assessment examination, and detain at the location until the examination has been conducted

Question 13

What is the definition of Mental Disorder?

Answer 13

Abnormal state of kind characterised by delusions or by disorders of mood, perception, volition or cognition of such a degree that it:

• Poses a serious danger to the health or safety of that person or others
• Seriously diminishes the capacity of that person to take care of him/herself