scholarly journals Consultant psychiatrists' knowledge of their role as representatives of the responsible authority at mental health review tribunals

2008 ◽  
Vol 32 (10) ◽  
pp. 366-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Srikanth Nimmagadda ◽  
Christopher N. Jones

Aims and MethodA postal survey of consultant psychiatrists was carried out to assess their level of knowledge about the role of the person representing the responsible authority at a mental health review tribunal (MHRT).ResultsConsultants generally had a low level of knowledge and understanding of their responsibilities as representatives, which increased since appointment and with experience of MHRTs. They thought it appropriate that they continue representing the detaining authority in most cases, but recognised training needs.Clinical ImplicationsPostgraduate training and continuing professional development should address the competencies required for the representative role. Trusts should review their practice in respect of legal representation at MHRTs.

2010 ◽  
Vol 34 (9) ◽  
pp. 381-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Cormac ◽  
Drew Lindon ◽  
Hannah Jones ◽  
Trevor Gedeon ◽  
Michael Ferriter

Aims and methodA postal survey of forensic psychiatric facilities in England and Wales was undertaken to obtain information about the services provided for carers of in-patients within these services.ResultsForensic psychiatric services vary in the support and facilities provided for carers. Many do not comply with current legislation for carers. Most units informed carers of their rights to have an assessment, but only a minority provided facilities for carers from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds.Clinical implicationsForensic psychiatric services should meet standards for the involvement and support of carers in mental health settings, and comply with legislation for carers.


BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S148-S148
Author(s):  
Emma McLean ◽  
Mariam Alexander

AimsTo host the first ELPS training day specifically for LAS staff to improve their knowledge and understanding about mental health issues and the role of ELPS.On average 13,000 calls are received by LAS relating to mental health issues every month. Many patients seen by ELPS will have multiple interactions with LAS. ELPS has previously held training for the Emergency Department team but this innovative day was designed to extend this training commitment to pre-hospital cliniciansMethodLAS training needs were initially assessed by a bespoke questionnaire and ELPS attending another LAS training event held by the new mental health joint response car team.We then developed a training programme to match the identified training needs and which utilised the specific expertise of individual ELPS staff.14 members of the local LAS stations attended including both Paramedics and Emergency Ambulance Clinicians. The presentations covered mental state examination, suicide, risk assessment, substance misuse, legal frameworks and then a ‘challenging cases’ session to bring it all together.Pre and post course questionnaires were completed by participants, exploring attitudes and knowledge.ResultThere was a statistically significant improvement in the average self-ratings for all of the categories assessed including attitudes to mental health, confidence in assessment and knowledge relating to the process the patient will experience in the emergency department.The knowledge about the pathway and role of liaison psychiatry showed the greatest improvement with an average 4.25 increase in pre and post course rating.Almost all participants (9.2/10) would recommend this training day to a colleagueConclusionWe met our objective of improving LAS staff knowledge and understanding about mental health issues and the role of ELPS. We plan to build on this successful pilot and expand our training programme for LAS with the ultimate aim of improving patient care.


1999 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 84-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A Dunn ◽  
Aine C Fitzpatric

AbstractObjectives: Changes in healthcare policy over the last decade emphasise care in the community over residential care. Self-help organisations may play a useful role in these circumstances. Against this background, the objective of this study was to obtain the views of members of the main mental health professions on the place of self-help groups in mental health care.Method: A postal survey of 255 mental health professionals from two health boards was carried out, using a semi-structured questionnaire that contained both open and closed questions. The responses obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis as appropriate.Results: The response rate was 35% so results must be interpreted cautiously. Self-help groups are used particularly in the management of addictive behaviours, and are also considered useful in cases of mood disorder. In general, self-help organisations are seen as providing support to patients and their families; information on mental illness/health to the general public; and lobbying for services relevant to the needs of their members. Respondents were concerned that the philosophy and programme of a group should not conflict with established models of mental health. The impact of the organisational structure of the multi-disciplinary team on the referral pattern of the different mental health professions, and the role of group availability and accessibility on the decision to refer a patient to a self-help group is commented upon.Conclusions: While some professionals see a role for self-help organisations in the mental health care system, reservations expressed about a possible clash between selfhelp groups' approach and professional mental healthcare practice need to be addressed so that the potential of both positions can be realised.


Author(s):  
Paul Veitch

<p>The legal representation of patients detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 (the Act) by way of public funding is very recent. Prior to the Act legal representation was not commonplace and was not seen as desirable. A Royal Commission report in 1957 commented that “As the proceedings on applications to Mental health Review Tribunals will usually be informal and neither the patient nor the hospital or local authority will usually need to be legally represented...”5 It was the Legal Aid Act 1974 that granted public funding for a solicitor to prepare a case for a Mental health Review Tribunal under the Legal Advice Scheme (the Green Form, remember those uncomplicated days!). This was means-tested but did not grant funding for actual representation. Public funding for representation at the hearing was only granted on 1st December 1982 under ‘Assistance by Way of Representation’. A time span up until today’s date of only 28 years!</p>


2001 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 212-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gill Griffin ◽  
Jonathan I. Bisson

Aims and MethodThis study considered patients admitted to hospital following deliberate self-poisoning. The characteristics of the patients and the outcomes of assessments by trainee psychiatrists and a mental health nurse were compared.ResultsThere were no significant differences in the outcome of 68 assessments performed by a trainee psychiatrist and 77 by a mental health nurse. The nurse assessment service was well-received by the poisons unit, a medical ward specialising in overdose treatment, and trainee psychiatrists.Clinical ImplicationsPsychosocial assessments following self-poisoning can be provided by appropriately trained and supervised mental health nurses. The introduction of a nurse-led service should enhance relationships with the local poisons unit and reduce the workload of junior doctors without compromising their training needs.


2000 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 169-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Owen ◽  
S. P. Sashidharan ◽  
Lyse J. Edwards

Aims and MethodsTo ascertain current levels of access to home treatment for those with acute mental illness and future plans of trusts and purchasing authorities to provide such services. Also, to assess the attitudes of these organisations towards this form of treatment. A postal survey of all mental health trusts and purchasing authorities within the UK was carried out.ResultsOne hundred and seventy-two trusts and 82 health authorities returned questionnaires, representing a response rate of 75% and 67% respectively. Only 27 (16%) of trusts provided home treatment but 58 (40%) had plans to do so. All health authorities and 97% of trusts were in favour of the principle of providing home treatment.Clinical ImplicationsDespite the low levels of provision of home treatment trusts and health authorities were strongly in favourof it. There is likely to be a large increase in its availability over the next 12 months.


2008 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 208-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Romanus Ndubueze Nnaji ◽  
Trevor Friedman

Aims and MethodWe conducted a survey of the knowledge, attitudes and practices of sexual dysfunction and schizophrenia of general adult psychiatrists in Leicestershire and Lincolnshire mental health trusts.ResultsTwo-thirds of psychiatrists that we interviewed do not routinely enquire about sexual dysfunction in their patients and only 17% felt competent in assessing sexual dysfunction, despite 88% agreeing that good sexual function is important to patients. Most practitioners (81.6%) have had no training in this area and wanted some.Clinical ImplicationsSexual dysfunction is underrecognised and possibly under-treated; suggestions on how to address this are made in this paper.


2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 24-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sangeetha Sankarnarayanan ◽  
Akila Jayasekera
Keyword(s):  

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