Mental Health

Question 1

Define what is meant by the term “mental disorder”

Answer 1

Abnormal State of mind and possesses a serious danger to health and safety of that individual or others

Question 2

Define in your own words what is meant by restricted patient.

Answer 2

Patients who are subject to a compulsory treatment order but are considered a danger to the public.

Question 3

Define what is meant by the term special patient

Answer 3

Patients detained by way of court order if found criminally insane or unfit to plead. The category also includes people on remand for a psychiatric report.

Question 4

What is the role of a Duly authorised officer pursuant to the mental health act 1992?

Answer 4

They are qualified nurses who specialise in mental health and then received further training on an ongoing basis.

List of DAO’s And their contact numbers should be held at every police station.

Question 5

Explain whether you may return a restricted or special patient and the time frame to hospital if they have abscond

Answer 5

These patients may be apprehended in return to hospital at any time.

Question 6

Explain weather you may return compulsory treatment patients and the time frame that applies to the hospital if they have abscond.

Answer 6

These patients may be apprehended and returned if apprehended within 3 months.

Question 7

In what circumstances can police apprehend person under section 109 of the mental health act 1992?

Answer 7

Any person wondering at large in a public place and behaving in a manner that gives rise to reasonable belief that he or she maybe mentally disordered and a member of police believes it is in the interest of the person or public to do so.

Question 8

What does S41 of the Mental Health act 1992 allow you to do when requested to do so by a DAO?

Answer 8

Enter the premises by force if necessary and detain the person in those premises until the assessment exam has been conducted

or

take the person to some other place nominated by the DAO for the purposes of a medical examination or an assessment exam, and detail at the location until the exam has been conducted.

Question 9

What is the max time period that a person may be detained for when apprehended under section 41?

Answer 9

6 hours

Question 10

Under S110A of the mental health act 1992, what May a doctor administer to a patient if they consider it necessary?

Answer 10

A sedative to the patient if they consider it necessary.

Question 11

What does S110C allow police to carry out when called by a doctor to assist in dealing with a mental health patient?

Answer 11

Enter the premises by force if necessary and detain the person in those premises until the assessment exam has been conducted.

Or

Take the person to some other place nominated by the medical practitioner for the purpose of a medical exam or an assessment exam, and detail at that location until the exam has been conducted.

Question 12

Can you use force To enter premises under section 41? True or false

Answer 12

True

Question 13

What power do you have to use force under the mental health act?

Answer 13

S41, S109, S110 the power to detain that person

S41, S110 the power to enter

Section 122B of the act states that if you are exercising the above powers in an emergency you may use such force as it is reasonably necessary in the circumstances

Question 14

What powers are available to police to deal with a special patient who has absconded from hospital?

Answer 14

May be apprehended and return to hospital at any time.

Question 15

What powers are available to police to deal with a restricted patient who has absconded from hospital?

Answer 15

May be apprehended and return to hospital at any time.