title: Police may underuse Section 136.
abstract: A one-year prospective study comparing Section 136 patients (39) and the severe Section 2 or 4 patients (29) of the Mental Health Act 1983 in a hospital with inner London catchment areas. The assessments were clinical, nurses' ratings and socio-demographic. The results showed that clinical and nursing ratings did not differentiate the two groups. Most social/demographic data showed similar trends with both groups being disadvantaged but Section 136 patients slightly more so. The differences were smaller than anticipated, suggesting a recent shift of patients admitted under Section 2 or 4 towards a more socially disadvantaged position. In conclusion, police did not overuse Section 136. Our comparison suggests: (a) police may underuse Section 136, and (b) Section 136 acts as a valuable 'back-up' for those patients who would otherwise fail to benefit from the Mental Health Act.
authors.affiliation: Armed Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Mokhtar
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hogbin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006300:Health Services Misuse / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012926:Social Control, Formal; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014852:Wales / Q000453:epidemiology