MHA

Question 1

What does it stand for?

Which 2 countries is it for?

When was it introduced?

When was it amended?

Answer 1

Mental Health Act - A legal framework for compulsory Rx under various sections (hence sectioned)

England and Wales

1983

2007

Question 2

2 groups of patients this applies to?

Answer 2

Patients with a mental disorder who do not consent to voluntary admission or treatment.

Patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.

Question 3

3 conditions for detention?

Risks to patients?

Answer 3

(1) For a mental disorder of a sufficient degree and nature, which
(2) Requires inpatient treatment, and
(3) Which presents a risk to the patient or others.

Self-harm, self-neglect or further decline in illness,

Question 4

Section 2:
How long is the admission?
What is the admission for?
Can you renew it?

Answer 4

28 days

Assessment and Rx

Non-renewable, but patient can be switched to a Section 2 if required.

Question 5

Section 3:
How long is the admission?
What is the admission for?
How long can you renew it for?

Answer 5

6 months

Treatment

6 months then annually

Question 6

Section 4:
When is it used?
How many doctors does it require?
What should be done once they are admitted?

Answer 6

72-hour urgent admission when section 2 cannot be arranged immediately - over a weekend

1 doc

Converted to section 2

Question 7

Section 17:
What does this allow for patients?

An application is made by an approved mental health professional (AMHP). What does this include?

How many doctors typically see the patient before they decide to apply?

Answer 7

Allows ward lead for patients detained under section 2 and 3, agreed by the responsible clinician.

A non-doctor, local authority-approved practitioner (social worker or CPN)

2 doctors

Question 8

Short term detention of patients:

Who does it apply to?

Section 5 (2) - what is it? when should it be converted to a section 2?

Section 5(4) - who applies? for how long? what can it be converted to?

Answer 8

Those on the ward (i.e. not A&E) and trying to leave a hospital. 
-----------------
72-hour detention by any doctor (F2 or above)
Within 72 hrs 
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Nurse
6 hrs 
Section 5 (2)

Question 9

Compulsory treatment orders:

Section 17 is used for this.

What section type requires patients who are discharged to still have compulsory treatment in the community?

What happens if the patient is non-concordant?

How long does it last?

How long can you renew it for?

Answer 9

Section 2 patients

Recalled to the hospital

6 months

6 months then annually

Question 10

Police detention of people with mental illness:

Section 135 - what does this allow?

Section 136 - How long does this allow police to detain someone? What type of section should it converted to if required? Who is it meant for?

Answer 10

Police to enter a property for an MHA assessment, for someone at risk from self or others due to mental illness.

72 hours

Section 2/3

Take people who need immediate care or control from a public place to a place of safety.