To think this doctor is unreasonable for saying this

[Plum8888]

A psychiatrist who has undertaken multiple assessment on my friend made this comment. To me mental health act assessments are meant to be based on the individual presentation not based on a blanket role. He when asked by dd why he was detaining her when he had sent her home with no support just a few weeks prior. Replied with you’re already an inpatient it’s different.(her section 2 was expiring so she was about to be put on a three) Aibu to think he can’t have a blanket rule that she should never be detained unless she’s already an inpatient as she surely he’s not providing her with an objective assessment? Nor should someone just detain someone because there already an inpatient

So she was sectioned and a review was taking place? She or her advocate should have the reasoning behind the continuation. It doesn't matter about what's happened prior, needs change. Likewise, needs continue, so it isn't he's just continuing to detain her.

Yes she was on a section 2 which is 28 days then it expires. He was asked to assses her as part of an amhp team. He wasn’t the ward consultant

Hmm It’s difficult. I mean when they do the assessments, there is more than one person. They need to totally justify sectioning, mad an example, I’ve been sectioned multiple times but am currently experiencing thoughts of harming myself and others. They won’t even do an assessment on me. So being sectioned is quite hard.

I think the doctor was acting in the best interests of your friend or DD.
Its really hard with the lack of MH beds - its easier with a section in place for doctors to get beds and support than it is without a section and sadly they are so under resourced that usually in patient support isnt given until crisis point.

It’s more the point that he’s basically saying in my view that he would leave her in the community no matter how unsafe she was.

That he would only detain if she was already on a section so if he saw her in an assessment and she was a risk he would just let her go

But he didn't say that at all, you've misunderstood. From what you wrote he said that her being an inpatient and currently detained changed things from his point of view. That's all. He still assessed her presentation, and looked at the risks. But he said that because her circumstances were different, his opinion has changed, that's fine and how it should be.

The people who assess you sometimes aren't the consultant in charge of your care..because there needs to be three people involved.

They shouldn't move onto a section three simply because the person was on a section two. Though most people on a three started on a two.

They need to assess whether she is responding to treatment and if she's no longer a danger to herself or others. If they think that she is not sufficiently well then they can go to a section 3. But if you're their next of kin you can find out how they came to that decision and you can appeal it.

No you've misunderstood that's not what hes saying.

No you've misunderstood that's not what hes saying.

Seems like he is as he discharged her when he assessed her on a 136.

He wasn’t the consultant in charge of her care with either assessment

that Is not how I would have interpreted what you wrote. That she was already released once and was back was the evidence to section. It proves this particular patient with these particular symptoms needs help.

I think he may have been explaining in a slightly clumsy way that at the time he initially assessed her she would not have met the threshold to be considered detainable

Yes but she was still very risky when he discharged her

I am assuming that she would still have been under the continuing care of her regular treating team even though at that point she was not detainable under the act
Risk can change very quickly

As I understand it there needs to be three consultants to agree the person needs sectioning?

This 100%

Two and an amhp but this particular doctor was more vocal than the others

Do you believe she is well enough to go home? If so I guess you/her can appeal the section? I'm sorry this is happening and hope she gets better soon x

I'm not sure what you want really. It sounds as though the don't think she's safe to go home so they are sectioning her. It's not something they do lightly.
Youy seem to be focused on what happened previously but honestly, I would concentrate on what's happening now.
I hope your friend gets the help she needs.

I just don’t think it’s right to discharge someone who’s unsafe. Then act like you care about them a few weeks later.

Bumping if anyone else has any more views

Because maybe she didnt meet certain criteria a few weeks ago but does now. Detaining someone is extremely difficult.