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).
Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh EH10 5HF. benbaig@doctors.org.uk
B J
BJ
Baig
J
J
Walker
E S
ES
Crowe
S M
SM
MacHale
H
H
Aditya
S G
SG
Potts
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