Can tourists be sectioned under the Mental Health Act?

I pose the following question to the hive mind of the SMB: Can someone visiting the UK on the purpose of tourism be sectioned under the Mental Health Act if they are deemed to meet the requirements? My suspicion is that until Brexit completes an EU citizen would be sectioned and receive treatment under the same terms as a UK resident, but that it is possible those visiting from outside of the EU might go through a process of medical repatriation for treatment in their home nation. I have been asking around but can not get a clear answer.
 


I pose the following question to the hive mind of the SMB: Can someone visiting the UK on the purpose of tourism be sectioned under the Mental Health Act if they are deemed to meet the requirements? My suspicion is that until Brexit completes an EU citizen would be sectioned and receive treatment under the same terms as a UK resident, but that it is possible those visiting from outside of the EU might go through a process of medical repatriation for treatment in their home nation. I have been asking around but can not get a clear answer.
Yes. Tourists can and are detained. Causes a bit of a carry on with informing nearest relatives but it does happen. Not sure how funding works though
 
If its deemed to be in the patients best interest they can be repatriated with home Secretary discretion under S86 mental health act 1983. This would be after a tribunal and there is no mandatory repatriation if they are unwell. I think

In terms of can they be sectioned the MHA 1983 is a law so it will apply equally to foreign nationals.
 
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Visitors are entitled to NHS services and the question relates to whether they are charged.

you are exempt for charges if you are receiving compulsory psychiatric treatment. This being the definition of being admitted into hospital under the MHA sc.3 provision

 
Visitors are entitled to NHS services and the question relates to whether they are charged.

you are exempt for charges if you are receiving compulsory psychiatric treatment. This being the definition of being admitted into hospital under the MHA sc.3 provision

Raises the question of what happens if it's a voluntary or a section two. Section two is more likely for foreign nationals as they will have no history here making " assessment" a more reasonable grounds than treatment.
 
Raises the question of what happens if it's a voluntary or a section two. Section two is more likely for foreign nationals as they will have no history here making " assessment" a more reasonable grounds than treatment.

My error is the MHA provision. I should have said sc.2 as this would preclude a longer detention under the act.

sc.2 can be voluntary as well so the same guidance would apply although I’m sure some discussion would preclude admission as to ascertain the best place for treatment and a determination of what was in the best interests of the patient.
 
I pose the following question to the hive mind of the SMB: Can someone visiting the UK on the purpose of tourism be sectioned under the Mental Health Act if they are deemed to meet the requirements? My suspicion is that until Brexit completes an EU citizen would be sectioned and receive treatment under the same terms as a UK resident, but that it is possible those visiting from outside of the EU might go through a process of medical repatriation for treatment in their home nation. I have been asking around but can not get a clear answer.

How the evenings must fly by.
 
Raises the question of what happens if it's a voluntary or a section two. Section two is more likely for foreign nationals as they will have no history here making " assessment" a more reasonable grounds than treatment.
Usually repatriated under the immigration act rather than the mental health act but often involves arguements that it isn't in the patients best interests to return home as they wouldn't get required treatment.
 
Usually repatriated under the immigration act rather than the mental health act but often involves arguements that it isn't in the patients best interests to return home as they wouldn't get required treatment.

I would agree but would also say I have heard of several admissions over recent years. Drug abuse and overdose with developed psychosis a rising trend for admission
 
I pose the following question to the hive mind of the SMB: Can someone visiting the UK on the purpose of tourism be sectioned under the Mental Health Act if they are deemed to meet the requirements? My suspicion is that until Brexit completes an EU citizen would be sectioned and receive treatment under the same terms as a UK resident, but that it is possible those visiting from outside of the EU might go through a process of medical repatriation for treatment in their home nation. I have been asking around but can not get a clear answer.

If you section me, you will have crossed a line and I will section you.
 
Usually repatriated under the immigration act rather than the mental health act but often involves arguements that it isn't in the patients best interests to return home as they wouldn't get required treatment.
I would have thought it would be difficult to use immigration act on a person detained under MHA, surely they would need to be discharged first which would be a medical decision involving responsible clinician and AMHP.
I know there are some inventive work around happen and as long as they are in the patients best interests I can accept that.
My error is the MHA provision. I should have said sc.2 as this would preclude a longer detention under the act.

sc.2 can be voluntary as well so the same guidance would apply although I’m sure some discussion would preclude admission as to ascertain the best place for treatment and a determination of what was in the best interests of the patient.
I don't think section 2 is voluntary, voluntary means the act is not applied . Two very distinct legal status.
 
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Surely anyone, domestic or otherwise can be sectioned under section 2. "if it`s deemed necessary for your or others safety"
@Skandhaless , how would it work? would you need to be arrested under another section first? eg 136 If it appears to a police officer that you have a mental disorder and are “in need of immediate care or control”, they can take you to (or keep you at) a place of safety. Then assessed and sectioned under sec 2?
 
I would have thought it would be difficult to use immigration act on a person detained under MHA, surely they would need to be discharged first which would be a medical decision involving responsible clinician and AMHP.
I know there are some inventive work around happen and as long as they are in the patients best interests I can accept that.

I don't think section 2 is voluntary, voluntary means the act is not applied . Two very distinct legal status.

admission or detention for assessment is only compulsory if the definition of detention is applied on the recommendation of the mh assessors (2)psychiatrists and the social worker in conjunction with the wishes of the closest relative. Where the admission is voluntary then the same provision (sc.2assessment) is applied.
In reality there isn’t a difference.

Both methods would still require a review to determine discharge if that was the request of the patient and would not be influenced by the admission difference described above but by the health of the patient and a risk assessment under the mha provisions
Surely anyone, domestic or otherwise can be sectioned under section 2. "if it`s deemed necessary for your or others safety"
@Skandhaless , how would it work? would you need to be arrested under another section first? eg 136 If it appears to a police officer that you have a mental disorder and are “in need of immediate care or control”, they can take you to (or keep you at) a place of safety. Then assessed and sectioned under sec 2?

The provision does exist in the act and would be the likely course of action if a place of safety was required and the police were involved. Similarly a mh assessor and psychiatrist could be asked to visit, normally at the request of a visiting CPN. I would doubt the police would want to get involved if they could help it.
 
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admission or detention for assessment is only compulsory if the definition of detention is applied on the recommendation of the mh assessors (2)psychiatrists and the social worker in conjunction with the wishes of the closest relative. Where the admission is voluntary then the same provision (sc.2assessment) is applied.
In reality there isn’t a difference.

Both methods would still require a review to determine discharge if that was the request of the patient and would not be influenced by the admission difference described above but by the health of the patient and a risk assessment under the mha provisions
In reality there is a very big difference under voluntary you can refuse treatment under section 2 you can't, but in terms of detention you're right even if you're voluntary your not leaving without assessment and there are further short duration section powers for medics and nurses to prevent you walking out until that happens.
Surely anyone, domestic or otherwise can be sectioned under section 2. "if it`s deemed necessary for your or others safety"
@Skandhaless , how would it work? would you need to be arrested under another section first? eg 136 If it appears to a police officer that you have a mental disorder and are “in need of immediate care or control”, they can take you to (or keep you at) a place of safety. Then assessed and sectioned under sec 2?
Section 136 is a specific police power to take to a place of safety if in a public place without application for a warrant (s135 is removal from a dwelling and needs warrant). You would then be assessed and come under a section 2 or 3.
You dont have to be arrested under 136 to be assessed (say if you're in outpatients already or professionals are called to your home and given entry freely by you or another) its mainly just right to transport against your will for assessment
 
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Yep they sure can.
Happened twice when I was in Inverness for three weeks back in May.
A french lass who was threatening to jump off the Kessock Bridge & an Ecuadorean fella who’d blown over 6 grand (he didn’t really have to lose) in one day in a bookmakers whilst going through a manic episode.
 

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