Nurses' detention powers and medical response to their use.
OBJECTIVE
The aim was to study the factors associated with use of Section 5(4) of the Mental Health Act 1983 and the medical response.


METHODS
A retrospective study was carried out over a year in all psychiatric inpatient units in Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust. This trust caters to the mental health needs of the Leicestershire and Rutland population.


RESULTS
Various factors have been identified with use of Section 5(4) and the medical response. Nurses are in the forefront for psychiatric emergencies at inpatient units and they have used this power to detain patients even in regular working hours.


CONCLUSIONS
The doctor's opinion concurs with the nurse's decision closely. It is vital that this power is retained in future mental health acts.
Shivram
Raghuram
R
University of Leicester.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D003657:Decision Making; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011209:Power, Psychological; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000458:organization & administration; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution