| pubmed-article:3119134 | pubmed:otherAbstract | KIE: An issue of concern to Britain's mental health community is the problem of a discharged psychiatric patient who suffers a relapse and requires treatment, but who may not be ill enough to justify recommitment. Under the revised Mental Health Act 1983, psychiatrists have no power to treat patients without their consent outside the hospital. Both the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Mental Health Act Commission have produced discussion documents outlining several legal approaches to the problem of outpatient treatment. Dyer summarizes the debate over these proposals that took place during a September 1987 conference cosponsored by the Commission and the National Association of Health Authorities. There is general agreement among mental health professionals that changes in the law are needed, with support divided between compulsory treatment in the community and an expanded form of guardianship authorizing guardian consent to treatment. | lld:pubmed |
