AIBU to be concerned about an informal admission

[Rebecca496]

Hi all,

I am at the A and E at hospital in London and will be transferred to my local hospital in the Midlands on Monday when in patient bed (mental health) becomes available.

I have never experienced this before so do not understand what the process is about - e.g. what will happen as an informal patient.

I did ask to go outside earlier to the shops across the road but was told this was not possible.

How long will I need to stay as an informal patient for and what does this mean?

Will I be allowed to go outside of the hospital?

Will I have my own room? They did mention about a crisis house, but thought that I would need to see a doctor more often than once every three days. Does this mean I will need to stay longer than three days?

What is a voluntary patient versus being sectioned (I do not want this)?

AIBU to be worried? How much of a stigma is this? I feel like such a failure really. How did I get like this at 28? :(

I'm an informal patient waiting on a bed at the moment too. I have 1:1 supervision at all times. I'm informal because I agreed to stay in the hospital, but it's been made clear if I try to leave at any point, I will be put on a section 3. Which I absolutely don't want as it can last up to 6 months.

Which hospital are you at? What is a Section 3?

Are you in the A and E at the moment?

I'm in a hospital on the south coast near where I live . I'm on a special ward in a &e that is for people waiting for inpatient beds- been here just over a week!

Section 3 is when you're detained involuntarily for treatment for up to 6 months.

The chemical imbalance theory is only a theory. Not everyone believes in it as there is scant evidence that depression is caused my chemical imbalances.

If you have had traumatic life events you most likely need psychotherapy to develop coping skills to help you function.

Where are your parents/other relatives/ friends in all of this? Are you estranged? If you have had a lot of loss in your life and are socially isolated you are at higher risk of mental ill health.

You also mentioned autism. You need to tell your current MH team/staff about your diagnosis. Women with autism are often misdiagnosed with other MH conditions when actually their symptoms are due to autism.

What support do you have with your autism in the community?

Ultimately any hospital stay will have the purpose of getting you home, with a care package asap.

What is your living situation, ie with family, renting etc? And how will any rent be paid if you are in hospital for a while?

edit: ignore this, can't delete

@Rebecca496 how are you getting on? Are they transferring you back to the midlands?

I'm currently an inpatient (sectioned) in a MH hospital. Being sectioned won't show up on a DBS or anything like that, no.

If you agree to go in on an informal admission that's how it goes but if you didn't agree they would do an assessment for section so you may be then out under section if you are a danger to yourself or others

Hi @Pnlolly - I am still in London. I haven't yet spoken to the doctors today. I believe that there was a bed ready for me in the midlands today and I was going to be transferred, but I have yet to hear about this.

@itsachange2024 I am a voulntary patient. I have been able to the shops inside the hospital whist accompanied by a nurse/support worker, but am under constant supervision in my room. I don't think I would be able to go outside though, so is this like I am "informally sectioned"?

There's no such thing as 'informally sectioned'. You either are sectioned, or you're not.

However I can see why it feels that way to you. The hospital can only make recommendations based on their own policies. So, they're asking you not to leave because they feel you are better to stay. If you insisted on leaving, they would likely section you at that point to stop you.

Professionals don't want to section you- so it's always better to follow their rules/policies/guidance when you can and stay informal.

You're not under a section but you are informally / voluntarily admitted and if you tried to leave then they would probably section you , this goes through a process of clinical assessment by two authorised Drs and then the section is put in place if you fit the criteria/ there is sufficient concern.

No, there is no such thing as 'informally sectioned' but I also understand why it feels very much like that. I suspect your autism is why you are struggling with what feels like a very grey area and you are looking for words to describe and make sense of it.

So: right now even though you are finding yourself under 'rules or policies' your records show that you have not been sectioned, (because you haven't) which is what you want.
Put very bluntly: If you attempt to leave/go outside it is likely that you will be stopped and actually sectioned, and then that will be on your records, which is what you don't want.
I'd advise you to carry on being compliant, it is working for you long term even if it is irritating short term..

Hi @Elleherd - I am being transferred to the midlands this evening.

So tomorrow will I have some form of assessment (mental health) to decide if I will be 'sectioned' or an informal admission when I get to my local hospital?

Will I be allowed to go outside (either accompanied or unaccompanied) whilst I am an 'informal' admission? I did go for a walk outside today in the hospital gardens with a support worker which was good.

I have read so many contrasting things online about an 'informal admission'. Some say that you (as an informal admission) can come and go from the ward (within reason) without permission and unaccompanied, and could even go home and then come back again later on in the day. Others seem more like you have to stay here all of the time.

I will of course be compliant. Out of interest though, what repercussions does 'being sectioned' (horrible term...) being on your medical record in the long-term?

I'm really sorry, I initially just saw your thread on chat, there may be others who can give better information.
I don't know the answers to your questions, only what has happened with people I have known. I suspect only the staff at the place you are going to will be able to truly answer your questions because there are so many variables in these things.

I can say my friend was an informal or voluntary admission. TBH if they had not agreed to voluntary admission, they would have been sectioned to keep them safe. They complied, which meant they remained a voluntary admission. At first they were supervised and unable to go places on their own, but quite quickly they were able to go out unaccompanied, including visiting their home.

You are right, it's not a lovely term. I believe the biggest impact really is to do with stigma more than anything worse in most parts of the average persons life. It shouldn't carry stigma, but unfortunately it often does.

Friends with children who have had difficulties with social services over things like their child's school attendance, have said it has made those situations more difficult for them. But this is anecdotal.

Applications for some specialist licenses can be affected. This crops up in niche employment and isn't important for most.
There may be some more specialist occupations were it's a possible hindrance, but I don't know.
I'm aware US visa waver travel may be affected resulting in having to apply for a travel visa, whereas normally it could be visa free.

My instinct is more that I, and many I know, have enough difficulties in life, so anything extra that might have comeback that could be avoided, should be.

So will likely they assess me again tomorrow and go from there?

Hi @Rebecca496 Hope you are doing ok, it must be a really scary and unsettling time for you.
Are you able to ask one of the nurses some of your queries as they should hopefully be able to find the answers better than a bunch of randoms on MN. Once you get back to the Midlands the staff will definitely be able to let you know the process they will be following.
Hope you get settled in ok tonight xx

You have already been assessed as to whether you will be informal or sectioned.

When you are admitted to the actual MH ward/hospital, you will have some health checks and a chat.

If the staff feel you are very unwell and are not complying, or are lacking capacity, then they can section you temporarily (I forget the particular number it has), and you will undergo another MH assessment.

I went in voluntarily but was sectioned when I wanted to discharge myself so, as you say, the OP needs to be careful.

Good luck with your transfer tonight, I hope you don't get there too late and can have a good sleep.

How are you today OP? Have the staff been able to answer your questions?