Sectioning Flashcards
When should a patient be sectioned?
they have a diagnosed mental disorder of a certain nature or degree
there is a risk to themselves or others
this risk cannot be safguarded adequately in the community
voluntary admission is not an option
What section would you use for a patient in ED that has a mental disorder that has not yet been diagnosed ?
Section 2
admission for assessment for up to 28 days, not renewable
an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) or rarely the nearest relative (NR) makes the application on the recommendation of 2 doctors
one of the doctors should be ‘approved’ under Section 12(2) of the Mental Health Act (usually a consultant psychiatrist)
treatment can be given against a patient’s wishes
What section would you use for a patient in ED with a diagnosed mental disorder?
Section 3
admission for treatment for up to 6 months, can be renewed
AMHP along with 2 doctors, both of which must have seen the patient within the past 24 hours
treatment can be given against a patient’s wishes
What section could a GP use as an emergency?
Section 4
72 hour assessment order
used as an emergency, when a section 2 would involve an unacceptable delay
a GP and an AMHP or NR
often changed to a section 2 upon arrival at hospital
What section can be used to keep voluntary patients in hospital?
Section 5(2)
a patient who is a voluntary patient in hospital can be legally detained by a doctor for 72 hours
Section 5(4)
similar to section 5(2), allows a nurse to detain a patient who is voluntarily in hospital for 6 hours
What section can you use to provide supervised treatment in the community?
Section 17a
Supervised Community Treatment (Community Treatment Order)
can be used to recall a patient to hospital for treatment if they do not comply with conditions of the order in the community, such as complying with medication
