The Mental Health Act

Question 1

the mental health act definition

Answer 1

allows compulsory admission and treatment of people who

• have mental disorders and need to be treated in hospital
• need to be admitted as a risk to themselves / to others

Question 2

section 2

Answer 2

allows compulsory admission for up to 28 days for assessment

Question 3

section 3

Answer 3

allows compulsory admission for up to 6 months for treatment once diagnosis has been made

Question 4

criteria for mental health act to be utilised ;

Answer 4

in order to be implemented both sections require;

1. application from AMPH ( approved mental health professional )
2. Recommendation from x 2 doctors ( one has to be a psychiatrist ) and one has to be a GP ( with previous acquaintance with patient)

Question 5

section 4

Answer 5

1. used in exceptional cases to permit compulsary admission for up to 72 hours
2. used in cases of urgency where a delay would be undesirable if used section 2

Question 6

section 135

Answer 6

1. used by police to take people from public places to places of safety