Abstract
All applications of s.5(2) of the Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA) between January 1997 and December 1998 were examined to assess variables likely to affect outcome and to compare these findings to other similar published studies. Of the 154 applications (7% of all admissions), 56 were converted to s.3 and 39 to s.2 of the MHA. We found that the time of application, grade of doctor making the application and the day of application were the best predictors of outcome of s.5(2). Apart from a few exceptions, our findings were generally in keeping with previous published results. These findings suggest a national trend in the clinical use of s.5(2) and may provide a useful guide for those considering reform of this part of the MHA.
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