Knowledge about the Scottish Mental Health Act in a general hospital setting.
BACKGROUND
Clinical experience suggests that non-psychiatrists' knowledge of mental health legislation in relation to emergency detention is inadequate. However, most non-psychiatrists will use this legislation at some point in their career.


METHODS
A questionnaire about emergency detention legislation was circulated to non-psychiatric medical staff to test their knowledge of the provisions relevant to the general hospital.


RESULTS
Two hundred and seventy four medical staff replied (a response rate of 82%). Results showed that an understanding of detention procedures and applicability were markedly deficient, irrespective of grade, specialty or experience.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate a need for increased education and awareness about emergency detention legislation especially in view of the implementation of the Mental Health (Scotland) Act (2003).
Baig
B J
BJ
Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh EH10 5HF. benbaig@doctors.org.uk
Walker
J
J
Crowe
E S
ES
MacHale
S M
SM
Aditya
H
H
Potts
S G
SG
D002983:Clinical Competence; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D010820:Physicians; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D012606:Scotland; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires