Issue - meetings

In accordance with Minute No. 36 Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care meeting held on 21^st October, 2013, consideration was given to a report on the 2008 Mental Health Act Code of Practice, requiring local Social Services authorities, defined in Section 145(1) of the Mental Health Act 1983, the National Health Service and the Local Police Authority, to establish a clear policy for the use of the power to convey a person to hospital under Section 6(1) of the Mental Health Act.

The draft Policy and procedures outlined the roles and responsibilities of the Approved Mental Health professionals, the Ambulance Service, medical and/or other healthcare practitioners and Police who may be called upon to facilitate the conveyance of an individual to hospital, or in the case of Guardianship, an appropriate placement.  The Policy was to support good joint working and minimise the distress that Service users, their family and friends could experience when admission was necessary.

The overall aim was to ensure that the person detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 was conveyed to hospital or alternative placement in an appropriate vehicle and in the most human way possible following an assessment of their mental health needs by 2 doctors and an Approved Mental Health professional (AMHP).

The Code of Practice also specified that the Policy should clearly identify what arrangements had been agreed with the Police should they be asked to provide assistance to the AMHPs and the Doctors and how that assistance would apply to minimise the risk of the patient causing harm to themselves and maximise the safety of everyone involved in the assessment.

Discussion ensued on the age range which the Policy covered and whether or not an adolescent could be detained under Section 6.

Resolved:-   (1)  That the contents of the Policy be noted.

(2)  That clarification be sought on the details under Section 6.

Further to Minute No. 82 of 15^th April, 2013, consideration was given to a report on the 2008 Mental Health Act Code of Practice, requiring local Social Services authorities, defined in Section 145(1) of the Mental Health Act 1983, the National Health Service and the Local Police Authority, to establish a clear policy for the use of the power to convey a person to hospital under Section 6(1) of the Mental Health Act.

The draft Policy and procedures outlined the roles and responsibilities of the Approved Mental Health professionals, the Ambulance Service, medical and/or other healthcare practitioners and Police who may be called upon to facilitate the conveyance of an individual to hospital, or in the case of Guardianship, an appropriate placement.  The Policy was to support good joint working and minimise the distress that Service users, their family and friends could experience when admission was necessary.

The overall aim was to ensure that the person detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 was conveyed to hospital or alternative placement in an appropriate vehicle and in the most human way possible following an assessment of their mental health needs by 2 doctors and an Approved Mental Health professional (AMHP).

The Code of Practice also specified that the Policy should clearly identify what arrangements had been agreed with the Police should they be asked to provide assistance to the AMHPs and the Doctors and how that assistance would apply to minimise the risk of the patient causing harm to themselves and maximise the safety of everyone involved in the assessment.

Resolved:-   (1)  That the draft Policy and procedures be approved.

(2)  That the report be submitted to the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing/Finance for information.