Mental Health Legislation Flashcards
What are the main laws of mental health legislation?
- Mental Health (Care and Treatment)(Scotland) Act 2003
- Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000
Why would involuntary treatment occur?
- Treatment of small group of patients
- Severely unwell, lost touch with reality (psychotic)
- Risk to self or others
How is involuntary treatment allowed?
Normally, involuntary treatment would constitute assault and breach laws of consent, mental health legislation provides a legal mechanism
What are some critisisms of involuntary treatment?
- General
- Ill-liberal
- Poorly compatible with human rights normal
- Practical problems with administering treatments
- Ethical
- Non-maleficence
- Autonomy
- Paternalism (ignores patients views)
- Non-discrimination (physical vs mental illness)
What are the ethical justifications for involuntary treatment?
- Beneficence
- Autonomy (may promote reasoned autonomy)
- Right to treatment
- Paternalism
What is the mental health legislation in: Scotland, England and Wales, and Northern Ireland?
Scotland:
- Mental Health (Care and Treatment)(Scotland) Act 2003
England and Wales:
- Mental Health Act 1983 [amended by Mental Health Act 2007]
Northern Ireland:
- Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986
Why is mental health law important?
- Power to provide compulsory treatment to people with mental disorder
- Safeguards to make sure used appropriately
- Duties on NHS board to provide range of services for people with mental health disorder
What are some of the principles of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment)(Scotland) Act 2003?
- Non-discrimination
- Equality
- Respect for diversity
- Reciprocity
- Informal care
- Participation
- Respect for carers
- Least restrictive alternative
- Benefit
- Child welfare
What does the MH(S)A stand for?
Mental Health (Care and Treatment)(Scotland) Act 2003
What does the MH(S)A define mental disorder as?
- Any mental illness or
- Personality disorder or
- Learning disability
- However caused or manifested
The MH(S)A gives powers to what?
- Civil compulsory powers
- To detain
- To assess
- To treat
People who the MH(A)S applies to is determined by?
- An approved medical practitioner
- Mental Health Officer (MHO)
- The court
What ages can be detained by the MH(S)A?
Anyone can be detained, but if under 18:
- Need child/adolescent specialist
- Use specialist resources wherever possible
What are the different civil compulsory powers of the MH(S)A?
- Emergency detention certificate (EDC)
- Short term detention certificate (STDC)
- Compulsory treatment order (CTO)
- Nurses holding power
What does EDC stand for?
Emergency detetion certificate
How long does an emergency detention certificate allow detention for?
Up to 72 hours
What does an emergency detention certificate allow?
Assessment and ER treatment only
Transfer to psychiatric hospital
Do patients have a right to appeal an emergency detention certificate?
No
Who can administer an emergency detention certificate?
Fully registered practitioner
When can an emergency detention certificate be used?
Patient is significant risk to self or others
How long does a short term detention certificate allow detention for?
Up to 28 days
Do patients have a right to appeal a short term detention certificate?
Yes
What does a short term detention certificate allow?
Assessment and treatment