‘Waiting for the verdict’: the experience of being assessed under the Mental Health Act

Abstract

Background

Following the Independent Mental Health Act review, there is increasing focus on this coercive part of mental health services and a call for service user views to be central to proposed changes. Although there are numerous studies into being detained in hospital, there is a lack of data exploring the service user experiences of the assessment process.

Aim

To explore the subjective experience of being assessed under the Mental Health Act (MHA).

Method

10 participants were interviewed about their recent assessment experience and the transcribed interviews were analysed using framework approach.

Results

The overarching theme of person centred care emerged from these interviews with interconnecting sub themes: 1) information and options; 2) “the barrage of three”; 3) “sit down and listen”; and 4) service user voice.

Conclusion

As one of the first studies into service user experiences of MHA assessments, this exploratory study indicates that there is lack of person centeredness. The Independent Mental Health Act review has set a challenge for treating person as individual and increasing rights and involvement of service users. This study suggests service user’s experiences do not yet meet this aspiration and they want to discuss these experiences and have their voices heard.

Keywords:

• Mental Health Act assessment; person centred care; service user experience; patient experience; coercion

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the Research and Development staff at Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust for advice, time and support at all stages of this study. Also, our gratitude to all the service users that discussed their experiences with us.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Health Education England Integrated Clinical Academic programme awarded to the main author; Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust and Brighterway Charity.