Abstract
The pattern of use of Section 5(2) of the Mental Health Act 1983 was examined over a 12-year period at one psychiatric hospital. Although there was a national trend for Section 5(2) to be used more frequently, the local pattern was of a fluctuating number of patients being placed on this Section, but without there being any upward trend towards its increased use. As has been seen in other studies, Section 5(2), however, tended to be used for a younger group of patient who had often only been admitted within the previous 24 hours.
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