scholarly journals Patients' experiences of assessment and detention under mental health legislation: systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis

BJPsych Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Syeda Ferhana Akther ◽  
Emma Molyneaux ◽  
Ruth Stuart ◽  
Sonia Johnson ◽  
Alan Simpson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Patient Experiences ◽  
Bibliographic Databases ◽  
Emotional Impact ◽  
Reference List ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Mental Health Legislation ◽  
Health Legislation ◽  
The Impact

Background Understanding patient experiences of detention under mental health legislation is crucial to efforts to reform policy and practice. Aims To synthesise qualitative evidence on patients' experiences of assessment and detention under mental health legislation. Method Five bibliographic databases were searched, supplemented by reference list screening and citation tracking. Studies were included if they reported on patient experiences of assessment or detention under mental health legislation; reported on patients aged 18 years or older; collected data using qualitative methods; and were reported in peer-reviewed journals. Findings were analysed and synthesised using thematic synthesis. Results The review included 56 papers. Themes were generally consistent across studies and related to information and involvement in care, the environment and relationships with staff, as well as the impact of detention on feelings of self-worth and emotional state. The emotional impact of detention and views of its appropriateness varied, but a frequent theme was fear and distress during detention, including in relation to the use of force and restraint. Where staff were perceived as striving to form caring and collaborative relationships with patients despite the coercive nature of treatment, and when clear information was delivered, the negative impact of involuntary care seemed to be reduced. Conclusions Findings suggest that involuntary in-patient care is often frightening and distressing, but certain factors were identified that can help reduce negative experiences. Coproduction models may be fruitful in developing new ways of working on in-patient wards that provide more voice to patients and staff, and physical and social environments that are more conducive to recovery. Declaration of interest None.

scholarly journals Carers' experiences of involuntary admission under mental health legislation: systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis

BJPsych Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Stuart ◽  
Syeda Ferhana Akther ◽  
Karen Machin ◽  
Karen Persaud ◽  
Alan Simpson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Bibliographic Databases ◽  
Emotional Impact ◽  
Involuntary Admission ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Accessible Information ◽  
Care And Support ◽  
Mental Health Legislation ◽  
Health Legislation

Background Carers are key providers of care and support to mental health patients and mental health policies consistently mandate carer involvement. Understanding carers' experiences of and views about assessment for involuntary admission and subsequent detention is crucial to efforts to improve policy and practice. Aims We aimed to synthesise qualitative evidence of carers' experiences of the assessment and detention of their family and friends under mental health legislation. Method We searched five bibliographic databases, reference lists and citations. Studies were included if they collected data using qualitative methods and the patients were aged 18 or older; reported on carer experiences of assessment or detention under mental health legislation anywhere in the world; and were published in peer-reviewed journals. We used meta-synthesis. Results The review included 23 papers. Themes were consistent across time and setting and related to the emotional impact of detention; the availability of support for carers; the extent to which carers felt involved in decision-making; relationships with patients and staff during detention; and the quality of care provided to patients. Carers often described conflicting feelings of relief coupled with distress and anxiety about how the patient might cope and respond. Carers also spoke about the need for timely and accessible information, supportive and trusting relationships with mental health professionals, and of involvement as partners in care. Conclusions Research is needed to explore whether and how health service and other interventions can improve the involvement and support of carers prior to, during and after the detention of family members and friends.

Attitudes and experiences of nursing staff to the Mental Health Act 2001: lessons for future mental health legislation

2014 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 83-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Doherty ◽  
F. Jabbar ◽  
B. D. Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Nursing Staff ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mental Health Act ◽  
Clinical Nursing ◽  
Mental Health Legislation ◽  
Paper Work ◽  
Health Legislation ◽  
The Impact

ObjectivesThe Mental Health Act 2001 was implemented in 2006 to bring Ireland into line with international practice and United Nations Conventions on Human Rights. Previous studies have reported some practical difficulties for the professionals involved. We wished to examine the experiences of nursing staff and the impact of the Act on clinical nursing practice since its implementation.MethodThis cross-sectional survey was conducted by questionnaire. It contained questions examining training in and attitudes to the Act, and any resultant changes in nursing practise.ResultsA total of 317 questionnaires were returned. Of the nurses, 92% reported having received training in the Act, and 56% of nursing staff believed that their workload had increased as a result of the change in legislation. Of those who made a comment, 76.5% were negative, with increased paper work, lack of clarity and an excessive focus on legalities being the most common difficulties reported.ConclusionsNursing staff have shown mixed attitudes to the Mental Health Act 2001, but many of the difficulties encountered are similar to those experienced by other professionals.

scholarly journals Measuring the impact of revised mental health legislation on human rights in Queensland, Australia

2020 ◽  
Vol 73 ◽  
pp. 101634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neeraj S. Gill ◽  
Andrew Amos ◽  
Hassan Muhsen ◽  
Joshua Hatton ◽  
Charuka Ekanayake ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Mental Health Legislation ◽  
Health Legislation ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Mental health law and incapacity: The role of the Clinical Psychologist

2014 ◽  
pp. 179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Kinderman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Clinical Psychologists ◽  
Clinical Psychologist ◽  
Psychological Processes ◽  
Care Plans ◽  
Mental Health Legislation ◽  
Health Legislation ◽  
The Impact

From an academic clinical psychological perspective, mental health problems are seen as existing on a number of continua with normal functioning, rather than being explicable in terms of categorical diagnoses. Clinical Psychologists use clinical case formulations in their professional practice and are critical of the validity and utility of diagnosis. Psychologists also see mental health problems as stemming from disturbances in psychological processes. In turn, these processes may be disrupted by a variety of causes – biological, social and psychological. Nevertheless, we see disturbance or impairment of such psychological processes as the central issue in mental ill health.<br /><br />Mental health legislation should therefore reflect these perspectives in terms of the criteria for compulsory treatment and in terms of the procedures and practices governing care.<br /><br />To an extent this is welcome in the Government’s current proposals for mental health legislative reform. A basis of compulsion based on criteria rather than diagnosis is proposed, as are care plans rather than diagnosis and treatment. Clinical psychology, however, would go further. Since there seem to be differences between ‘well’ and ‘ill’ in terms only of the degree and nature of the disturbance of psychological process and the impact on functioning, this speaks to the nature of<br />‘unsoundness of mind’. Clinical psychologists contend that it follows that mental health legislation is appropriate and necessary only if people are impaired in their judgement to the extent of being unable to make valid decisions for themselves.<br />It has been proposed that Clinical Psychologists could act as ‘clinical supervisors’ (the term which is to replace ‘responsible medical officers’). If, indeed, mental ill health is the disturbance of complex, inter-related psychological processes, it makes perfect sense to employ psychologists to coordinate care and decision-making. Clinical psychologists are ready to take their place as partners with lawyers and psychiatrists.

scholarly journals Before and after: introduction of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003

2007 ◽  
Vol 31 (10) ◽  
pp. 374-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Smith ◽  
Tom White
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Royal Hospital ◽  
Mental Health Legislation ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Adult Psychiatry ◽  
Health Legislation ◽  
The Impact

Aims and MethodThe aim of the study was to assess the impact of the introduction of new mental health legislation in October 2005 on general adult psychiatry admissions. Patients were included in the study if they were admitted to Murray Royal Hospital, Perth from December 2004 to July 2005 and December 2005 to July 2006.ResultsFewer patients were detained but they were more likely to progress to longer-term detentions. Overall detained patients remained in hospital for shorter periods.Clinical ImplicationsThe change in de novo detention procedures reduced the number of de novo detentions. The new power to enforce medication in the community may have contributed to the reduced length of detention in hospital.

Mental health social work reimagined

2019 ◽  
pp. 137-148
Author(s):  
Ian Cummins
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Mental Health Legislation ◽  
New Community ◽  
Health Legislation ◽  
The Impact

The final chapter summarises the key themes of the book. It outlines the narratives that have underpinned reforms of mental health legislation examining moves towards a rights-based approach. The chapter explores the impact of austerity policies on mental health services and services users. The chapter concludes with a call for new community based approaches and a rejection of risk and bureaucratic managerialism.

scholarly journals Death of the Nearest Relative? Carers’ and Families’ Rights to Challenge Compulsion under Current and Proposed Mental Health Legislation

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (13) ◽  
pp. 123
Author(s):  
Victoria A Yeates
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
European Convention ◽  
Private Sphere ◽  
The Public ◽  
Mental Health Legislation ◽  
Major Shift ◽  
The Government ◽  
Draft Bill ◽  
Health Legislation ◽  
The Impact

<p align="LEFT">This article explores the scope of carers and family members’ current entitlements to be involved in decisions about the use of compulsion under mental health legislation and the impact of the European Convention on Human Rights on these rights. It then examines the proposals in the <em>Draft Mental Health Bill</em> in relation to family rights, the recommendations of the Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Committee concerning carers and nominated persons and the Government’s response to these recommendations. It will be argued that the 2004 Draft Bill would represent a significant erosion of the rights of families, which is potentially profoundly antitherapeutic where a public safety agenda based on risk management predominates. It would involve a major shift in the boundary between the public and the private sphere, which is of constitutional significance, and it is argued that the Government should follow the recommendations of the Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Committee.</p>

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