Mental Health (compulsory) Assessment And Treatment Act 1992

Question 0

What is a restricted patient?

Answer 0

These are patients who are subject to a compulsory treatment order but are considered to present a danger to the public.

Question 1

What is mental disorder defined as?

Answer 1

‘Mental disorder’, in relation to any person, means an abnormal state of mind (whether of continuous or intermittent nature) characterised by delusions, or by disorders of mood, perception, volition or cognition of such degree that it:

• poses a serious danger to the health or safety of that person or of others, or
• seriously diminishes the capacity of that person to take care of himself or herself.

Question 2

What are special patients?

Answer 2

These are patients who are detained by way of a court order if they are found to be crimally insane or unfit to plead. The category also includes people on remand for a psychiatric report.

Question 3

What is a duly authorised officer (DAO)?

Answer 3

Duly authorised officers are qualified nurses who have specialised in the area of mental health and then received training on an ongoing basis.

Question 4

What is a compulsory treatment order patient?

Answer 4

• “In-patient” - stays in psychiatric unit for treatment

* “Out-patient” - lives at home and attends psychiatric unit for treatment

Question 5

What are the rules around patients without leave?

Answer 5

• Restricted & special patients
  
  • may be returned to hospital anytime
• Compulsory treatment patients
  
  • must be returned/taken back to hospital within 3 months
  • deemed to be released from compulsory treatment order if absent for more than 3 months

Question 6

What is section 109 of the mental health (compulsory) assessment and treatment act 1992?

Answer 6

Police powers in public places

Mentally disorder people in public place
- take the person to a police station, hospital, surgery or other appropriate place, and a doctors examination must be arranged as soon as practicable.

Question 7

What is section 41 of the mental health (compulsory) assessment and treatment act 1992?

Answer 7

Police power to assist

Assisting a duly authorised officer (DAO)

• can assist a DAO so they can assess a patient and also can transport a patient for assessment or treatment.
• no person shall be detained for more than 6 hours for the purpose of a medical or an assessment examination