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Psychiatric Bulletin (2003) 27: 50-54. doi: 10.1192/pb.27.2.50
© 2003 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
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Psychiatric Bulletin (2003) 27: 50-54
© 2003 The Royal College of Psychiatrists

In relative danger?

The outcome of patients discharged by their nearest relative from sections 2 and 3 of the Mental Health Act

Philip Shaw, Clinical Research Worker and Matthew Hotopf, Clinical Senior Lecturer

Department of Psychological Medicine, Guy's, King's and St Thomas' School of Medicine and the Institute of Psychiatry, London

Anthony Davies, Consultant Psychiatrist

South London and Maudsley NHS Trust

AIMS AND METHOD

Among the proposed changes in the current review of mental health legislation in England and Wales is the abolition of the right of the nearest relative to discharge patients from assessment and treatment orders (Sections 2 and 3 of the Mental Health Act 1983). We aimed to determine the clinical outcome of patients whose nearest relative applies for discharge. A retrospective case—control cohort study in a south London NHS Trust of 51 patients successfully discharged by their nearest relative and 33 patients whose nearest-relative applications were blocked by the treating psychiatrist on the grounds of ‘dangerousness’.

RESULTS

Patients discharged from section by their nearest relative did not differ significantly from controls in all the measures of clinical outcome examined.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

This study suggests that discharges by the nearest relative against psychiatric advice are not associated with a poor clinical outcome.




This article has been cited by other articles:


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J. Rapaport and J. Manthorpe
Family Matters: Developments Concerning the Role of the Nearest Relative and Social Worker under Mental Health Law in England and Wales
Br. J. Soc. Work, September 1, 2008; 38(6): 1115 - 1131.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

eLetters:

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Losing the patient or the plot?
Andrew A Al-Adwani
PB Online, 4 Sep 2003 [Full text]

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British Journal of Psychiatry Advances in Psychiatric Treatment All RCPsych Journals
Copyright © 2003 The Royal College of Psychiatrists.