Supervised discharge: concerns about the new powers for nurses.
The introduction of the Mental Health (Patients in the Community) Act 1995 has been the cause of much concern, although there has been little published debate from nurses. This article discusses key elements of the Act, including the power to 'take and convey', resourcing community care, the principle of reciprocity and the use of coercion to gain therapeutic cooperation. American literature suggests that the way community psychiatric nurses feel about using the power to 'take and convey' and coercion is the determining factor in the successful implementation of this act.
Coffey
M
M
Shafresbury Clinic, Springfield University Hospital, Tooting, London.
D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000451:nursing*; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010358:Patient Participation; D011209:Power, Psychological; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*