In this ‘in conversation’ with Colleen Simon and John Mitchell, we talk about a recently published discussion paper about the ways in which Approved Mental Health Professionals (‘AMHPs’) undertake their statutory role of ‘considering’ patient’s cases under s.13 MHA 1983, and why it is dangerous to think of an ‘MHA assessment’ as a single event. We also think about what could be done differently even in advance of any law reforms that might take place in this area.
Thank-you for posting this. I found it interesting and thought provoking. I do have some comments which I would like to make. I am a (somewhat jaded) consultant psychiatrist, I work in the NHS only. I was saddened to hear that both Colleen and John felt that the relationship between AMHP and Psychiatrist was fractious. It is certainly not the case in my area of practice and I have an excellent working relationship with my AMHP colleagues. Indeed whilst pondering what is the best way forward to help a person under my care I have found that picking up the phone and having a chat with an AMHP to be very helpful. We need to be mindful that we all have different angles of viewing the situation and before anyone has requested an assessment under the MHA, a professional conversation can be hugely beneficial. As we seem to become physically more distant from each other in our own silos, this has become increasingly difficult and, in my mind, is regretful.
I agree that mental health services are in a pathetic state. The tradegy is that when an admission (under the MHA) is considered there are little realistic and viable alternatives, when community teams have come to the end of what they think they can offer. As ever the reason for this is funding, organisation of services etc etc. There are more unpalatable things which need consideration and which need voicing. Namely the societal expectaion of how those whose behaviour does not confirm to societal norms (for whatever reason) should be helped. My experience is that society, and I would include family, neighbours, police, housing authorities and many other groups within that concept of “society” do not want the peopel we are discussing to be anywhere other than hospital. Does that matter? It should not matter. But in practical terms, sadly it does.
I agree with a huge amount of what has been discussed in the conversation. But would add that the harder things to change are societal and cultural expectations. Remember that closing the long stay wards simply led to the rise of the private sector asylum.
2227 days till retirement.