Section 5(4) of the Mental Health Act 1983: the art of applying the Act.
Section 5(4) of the Mental Health Act 1983 allows patients to be detained by nurses of the 'prescribed class' for a maximum of 6 hours. There is a paucity of research on the subject of Section 5(4); however, the little research that has been conducted has shown that there are gaps in the knowledge of registered nurses and nursing students due to be registered with regard to the following areas of Section 5(4): duration of the holding power; whether the client can be treated against their will; eligibility for detention; and criteria for implementation. This article will seek to clarify these gaps and provide nurses with a comprehensive systematic guide to follow should they have to invoke the section.
Dickinson
Tommy
T
Department of Nursing, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom.
D000465:Algorithms; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D003158:Community Psychiatry / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D003663:Decision Trees; D004630:Emergencies / Q000451:nursing; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016743:Mental Competency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration; D009743:Nursing, Practical / Q000193:education / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D028701:Patient Rights / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D011361:Professional Competence; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000145:classification / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012149:Restraint, Physical / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D012308:Risk Management / Q000458:organization & administration; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D013997:Time Factors; D006113:United Kingdom