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Improving the quality of medical reports to mental health review tribunals

Community Health Sheffield NHS Trust

Michael D. Hunter, Clinical Lecturer

Academic Department of Psychiatry, The Longley Centre, Norwood Grange Drive, Sheffield S57JT; Honorary Specialist Registrar, Community Health Sheffield NHS Trust

AIMS AND METHOD

We aimed to determine, using clinical audit, the effect of implementing national guidelines on the quality of responsible medical officers' (RMOs') reports to the mental health review tribunal (MHRT). We blindly assessed the quality of 50 consecutive reports concerning patients detained under Sections 3 and 37. Twenty-five reports were written before guidelines were circulated; a further 25 were written following the distribution of guidelines and a checklist with every request for a report.

RESULTS

The quality of reports, as measured by our checklist, significantly improved following the circulation of guidelines.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Increasing the awareness of guidelines by widespread circulation and the audit process is an effective way of improving the quality of RMOs' reports to the MHRT.