Mental health act assessment

[User5322]

Psychiatrist in a&e has called one for my adult dd. Who will be attending and how long is the wait?

It depends ,is she known to.services ,it? They could either to for a section two of the mental health act which is a detainment up.to 28 days and and is usually for assessment it would normally be the psychiatrist and another Dr ,possibly her Gp and an approved mental.health practitioner ( usually a mental health social worker) would have to finalise it. or a section 3 which i s for treatment and detainment can last up.to six months this is a treatment section and often used if a patient is known to services again it would be the psychiatrist and a second Dr and an approved mental health practitioner , if it's an emergency and it's not possible to to get a second Dr they could go for a section four and it would just be the psychiatrist and the approved mental health practitioner, this would normally last for up to 72 hours and it can be converted to a section 2 when she's been seen by a second Dr

It can take a while for everyone to attend ,if she needs to be admitted is it possible she would go in voluntarily?

Shes knows to services. Without being too outing the psychiatrist is saying it’s because she didn’t engage with them and didn’t answer their questions. I believe she did and don’t think she needs to be admitted. I think they have asked for the assessment as they feel she didn’t answer the questions.

Well it isn't just up to the psychiatrist,all the professional,s would need to agree she needs admission

I don’t feel he thinks she needs an admission. I feel it’s because the assessment didn’t go as planned and he reckons he’s unable to tell if shes got capacity so is saying he wants this assessment.

You can express your opinion to the approved mental health practitioner, as I recall they have to speak to your daughters ,s nearest relative which I assume.is you ,if the decide too proceed with a section so.I would take that opportunity let them know what you think.

He left here at about 11 and we’ve not heard anything since. Does this mean he’s decided he’s not going ahead with it? He’s told the doctor in charge of the day shift that she’s not to go once the treatment finishes or they can call security. I thought as she’s not currently sectioned she could leave? Thank you for the information.

Somebody should let you know what's going on ,it can take a few hours to coordinate all the professionals ,she could leave but that might complicate matters ,they could get the police involved to take her to a place of safety of they felt it necessary .

I thinking if she just leaves nothing will happen as it’s odd we haven’t heard anything since? Can he keep her in general hospital indefinitely?

The trust I worked for had a small part of A and E that they owned as The mental health trust was a different trust to the General hospital , so.sections could be carried out in that area of A and E ,possibly it's the same in the hospital your in ? As I said staff should let you know what's going on ,imo it wouldn't be in your daughters best interests to just leave ,once she's been see hopefully it will be felt that she's not detainanble.

If she leaves they will have to call the police, they technically cant stop her from leaving but if she does they have a duty of care and will have to involve the police who will normally ask her to go back and if she refuses can place her under a section 136. I speak from experience it's hard but unfortunately you just have to wait it out.

We’ve been told the doctors are in the building

That's good just a warning they sometimes will take a while before they come and speak to her.

Well that's good ,Op I hope it's a positive outcome

I work in an A+E and it can take a fair while for the people to turn up to do the assessment. It depends on how busy they are. How longs a piece of string?! I doubt very much the A+E staff will know how their going to be either.

Good luck to your dd.

If the Psychiatrist is not sure your dd has capacity, then it is good (and standard) practice to ask for an assessment. Good luck to her and hope all ok.

My mum waited weeks for it in hospital a few months ago!

Unfortunately not a positive outcome she’s on a section 2 and very scared

I'm sorry about that ,I worked in acute mental health for many years so I do know that the wards can seem like scary places particularly if you have never been an inpatient before but hopefully once she's settled in she will feel a bit calmer ,just remember that although a section 2 is for up to 28 days that doesn't mean she will be hospital for 28 days they can be rescinded ,if it's felt she's well enough

She’s not been in an adult unit before. I’m considering asking for her to be removed from section who do I approach about this please?

You need to speak to the clinician in charge of her care. As shes in A+E, I suspect that clinician will chat to you about it and refer you to the trusts mental health team again.

You can ask for her to be discharged into your care, however that decision can be overridden by the clinician that decided upon the section 2 in the 1st place.

She can appeal against her section she should have been give n a leaflet about her rights you can ask for one yourself ,however be aware that if it's felt by the medical staff and nursing staff that she needs to remain on the section the review tribunal ime, don't usually go against what medical staff and nursing staff advise,can you speak to her named nurse or the nurse in charge of the ward about your concerns? I expect it will be night staff in now given the time but they might be able to reassure you .

Why do you wish to appeal the section? Is it because you feel it is inappropriate or because you're both scared?

How old is she if you don't mind me asking? It's just you say she hasn't been in an adult unit before, has been admitted to a children's ward before? Please don't feel obliged to answer if you don't want to share that information

You need to speak to the clinician in charge of her care

Is your daughter happy for you to discuss her treatment on her behalf? Is this something you need her permission for?

Hope you both get the answers you need and that your daughter improves soon.
It must be so worrying for both of you.