When to Section a Patient Under the Mental Health Act

A 27 and lives at home with her parents and younger brother. She studied anthropology at university and had been in a long-term relationship. After leaving university with a good degree, she struggled to get a job. She eventually found work in a restaurant, which she seemed to enjoy. Last year her boyfriend moved out and she decided to quit her job and move back home. Over the past year her family has become increasingly worried about her health and behavior. Her personal care has deteriorated and she has slowly withdrawn from interacting with her family. She has not bothered to find a job locally and only leaves her bedroom to wash and get food from the kitchen. This patient has also begun to clean her hands obsessively although otherwise she does not seem to wash. Her room smells stale and she has refused to let her mum change her bedding. She does not seem to change her clothes and does not allow them to be washed with the family clothes. Her mother has noticed that her daughter’s hands are raw and that she has sores on her back and her legs. She refused to speak to a GP about her mood, and in desperation her parents have spoken to their GP about what can be done. The GP was concerned enough to attempt a home visit, but on arrival the patient refused to come out of her room, saying that she was just having a break from the stresses of living.

• Could this patient be detained for assessment or treatment under the Mental Health Act?
• Should she be detained for assessment or treatment under the Mental Health Act?

Apply Theory (Specific Professional Healthcare Competencies + Clinical Medical Ethical Principles) to Practice in order to provide Optimal Patient-Centered Care (OPCC)

Clinical Ethics and Law, Second edition. Carolyn Johnston, Penelope Bradbury, Series editor: Janice Ryme