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Original poster

To wonder how someone on a section 136

29 replies

thedaywewillremeber · 27/08/2020 09:57

Has been able to run off. Ds1 who’s 25 was placed on a 136 early hours of this morning. He had told me he was going to the shops obviously not a probably as he’s an adult but he clearly didn’t go to the shops. I’ve had a call from the 136 suite to say he ran off just as he arrived there. How is this possible?

OP posts:
Original poster
thedaywewillremeber · 27/08/2020 09:57

Problem

OP posts:
Valkadin · 27/08/2020 10:01

This decent MH charity explains what can and can’t happen when under a section 136

www.rethink.org/advice-and-information/rights-restrictions/police-courts-and-prison/section-136/

contrmary · 27/08/2020 10:01

I would imagine they don't use force or handcuffs on someone who is appearing to be cooperative. If he had been calm, polite and was obeying the instructions of the police office (or whoever stopped him) then by the time they got to the secure location they may have been trusting him, enabling him to give them the slip.

TheFormerPorpentinaScamander · 27/08/2020 10:01

Where has he run away from?

I used to work in a MH unit and we had a sectioned patient who absconded occasionally. Quite often he would scale the fence in the garden. Although once he was "free" he never really knew what to do so would come and knock on the door to come in again!

My son 'ran away' from school. He was meant to go from the coach to the school but was really upset about something so skirted around the back of the coach and walked home. School didn't even know he was missing until I phoned them and asked them why he had gone home!

Whatisthisfuckery · 27/08/2020 10:02

I’m not sure most people will know what a section 136 is OP. I’m quite familiar with the mental health act but i’ve just had to look it up.

I’m guessing he was supposed to stay at home? Obviously he hasn’t so the police will have to find him and detain him elsewhere if necessary.

Sorry OP, it sounds horribly shit and stressful.

TheFormerPorpentinaScamander · 27/08/2020 10:03

Sorry. My point was that it's actually quite easy to give someone the slip! Especially if they think you're cooperating and not usually troublesome (although on a 136 I'm guessing wherever he is being detained they don't know him that well)

MoistMolly · 27/08/2020 10:05

@Whatisthisfuckery

I’m not sure most people will know what a section 136 is OP. I’m quite familiar with the mental health act but i’ve just had to look it up.

I’m guessing he was supposed to stay at home? Obviously he hasn’t so the police will have to find him and detain him elsewhere if necessary.

Sorry OP, it sounds horribly shit and stressful.

Perhaps those people who don't know what a section 136 is, aren't in a position to give quality advise?
x2boys · 27/08/2020 10:05

What where the circumstances ? I used to be a mental health nurse ,and patients can and do go AWOL,when I worked on a PICU ( psychiatric intensive care unit) some very determined patients scaled the perimeter fence ,I would speak to the staff on the 136 suite and find out exactly what happened.

Catsick36 · 27/08/2020 10:08

If he was a harm to himself or the public the police will have detained him under 136 taken him to hospital and handed over. This takes several hours. Once he's in a place of safety police leave. It is easy for patients to abscond. We have several do the same every week where I am. They ask to go out for fresh air/cigarette and leave the hospital. Staff can't detain them and shouldn't have to risk their own safety by getting hands on with someone mentally unstable.

Spidey66 · 27/08/2020 10:14

I'm a MH nurse and have worked in secure settings where patients absconded from. It happens.

I remember one patient who was on close obs because he was an absconding risk. He managed to do it. He would go to the loo several times a day and day by day would work on the grouting round the toilet window until eventually he loosened it and he got out (was small and slightly built.) It was a bit like that bit from the Shawshank Redemption when the character (was his name Andy?) had spent years hacking at the wall to his cell to make an escape tunnel. .

Original poster
thedaywewillremeber · 27/08/2020 10:46

Thanks for replies. Apparently he ran off as they got the 136 suite he didn’t actually enter the building.

OP posts:
TheFormerPorpentinaScamander · 27/08/2020 11:46

Do you know where he is now OP? I can only imagine how worried you are about him.

Auridon4life · 27/08/2020 11:51

They normally let them have a bit freedom/fresh air then come back. Makes them realise it's a safe space where they are cared for and doesn't add to the massive stress of being locked up.

Original poster
thedaywewillremeber · 27/08/2020 11:58

No unfortunately I don’t he’s either turned his phone off or it’s got no battery.

OP posts:
Original poster
thedaywewillremeber · 27/08/2020 18:40

Still not heard anything about where he is.

OP posts:
TheFormerPorpentinaScamander · 27/08/2020 18:41

I hope they find him soon OP.
Stupid question but how are you coping?

Original poster
thedaywewillremeber · 27/08/2020 19:58

Thank you for asking. Trying to keep distracted but this is the longest he’s ever been missing. I know he’s an adult but it’s so worrying especially with the weather the way it is.

OP posts:
TheFormerPorpentinaScamander · 27/08/2020 20:05

I can only imagine. I think the families are often forgotten about when MH issues are involved. Whenever I used to ask my patients relatives how they were, other than a general 'hi how are you keeping? I'll let relative know you are here" type way, they would comment that I was one of the only people who ever asked :(

yeOldeTrout · 27/08/2020 20:21

I've heard stories about S136 people climbing high walls/fences & over roofs. Nightmare for the staff. Some inpatients are very determined.

Hmmmm2018 · 27/08/2020 20:31

Was going to comment on how it could have happened that he ran off, but see that you now know. Hope he is found soon and that you can relax, thinking of you.

LakieLady · 27/08/2020 20:41

Hope he's ok, OP.

My DB has absconded from hospital a couple of times. Both times he took himself back.

KaleWhale · 27/08/2020 21:03

It's pretty easy to run away whilst be taken to a 136 Suite - the times I have been involved (friend placed under 136) there were no restraints used since COVID-19 has happened. Previously he has always been restrained.

Despite the fact he had a 136 placed on him after a helicopter search, he was still no restrained - he ran off when we got to A and E (where our 136 suite is).

I really feel for you OP and am praying you get the news soon that he's located safely and can get the support he needs.

croquetas · 27/08/2020 21:27

I feel for you op and hope that everything goes well.

I have worked in a 136 unit in the past. It is easy to abscond. Service users have access to a fenced courtyard for fresh air. Determined service users do scale the 10ft high fence. You are not to pull someone down or attempt to restrain by yourself as we're often lone working ( except when a chaperone is required) however you need at least 3 people to attempt a safe restraint as it may very quickly get out of hand.

You rely on a panic alarm which alerts staff at the hospital wards nearby. They do respond quickly, however, they can't do anything physical either, other than verbal intervention. The protocol is to alert the police to arrest and bring the service user back.

x2boys · 27/08/2020 21:29

Are the police out looking for him?,they should be and are obliged to bring him back to a place of safety ,because he's under a 136,wether they prioritize this or not is a different matter unfortunately,hopefully they will though are the staff keeping you iinformed?

Original poster
thedaywewillremeber · 28/08/2020 09:56

Thanks everyone. Yes the police are looking for him but the 136 was only 24 hours so it’s expired now.

OP posts:
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