Supporting unpaid carers around hospital leave for people detained under the Mental Health Act (1983) in England: carer and practitioner perspectives.
BMC Psychiatry
; 24(1): 160, 2024 Feb 23.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38395842
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
When an individual is detained in hospital it is important that they maintain contact with their family, friends and communities as these can be helpful for their well-being and recovery. Maintaining these relationships is also important to unpaid carers (family or friends), but they can be strained by carers' instigation of, or compliance with, the involuntary detention. Section 17 of the Mental Health Act (1983) in England and Wales allows for temporary leave from hospital, from an hour in the hospital grounds to going home for a few days. However, carers are not always involved in decisions around statutory s.17 leave, even where they are expected to support someone at home. This study aimed to explore how practice can be improved to better involve and support carers around s.17 leave.METHODS:
Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were held with 14 unpaid carers and 19 mental health practitioners, including four Responsible Clinicians, in three sites in England in 2021. The research explored views on what works well for carers around s.17 leave, what could be improved and the barriers to such improvements. Transcripts were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.RESULTS:
Three themes were identified in theanalysis:
the need for carer support and the challenges surrounding provision; challenges with communication, planning and feedback around s.17 leave; and inconsistency in involving carers around s.17 leave. Permeating all themes was a lack of resources presenting as under-staffing, high demands on existing staff, and lack of time and capacity to work and communicate with carers.CONCLUSION:
Implications include the need for more funding for mental health services for both prevention and treatment; staff training to increase confidence with carers; and standardised guidance for practitioners on working with carers around s.17 leave to help ensure consistency in practice. The study concluded with the production of a 'S.17 Standard', a guidance document based on the research findings consisting of 10 steps for practitioners to follow to support the greater involvement and support of carers.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Bases de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Cuidadores
/
Serviços de Saúde Mental
Limite:
Humans
País/Região como assunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
BMC Psychiatry
Assunto da revista:
PSIQUIATRIA
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Reino Unido