Has the Mental Health Act 2001 altered the clinical profile of involuntary admissions?

Abstract

To assess whether transition from the Mental Treatment Act (MTA), 1945 to the Mental Health Act (MHA), 2001 has had any impact on the clinical profile of patients in the West Galway Mental Health Services who are admitted on an involuntary basis. Data were collected from clinical records in relation to all those individuals residing in the West Galway Mental Health Services who were admitted involuntarily in the 12 months prior to and subsequent to the introduction of the MHA 2001. A total of 175 individuals were included in this study (n = 91 - MTA 1945; and n = 84 - MHA 2001). No significant differences were found between the two groups in relation to demographic data, rates of involuntary detention or duration of involuntary detention. The applicant was less likely to be a family member under the MHA 2001 (54%) than the MTA 1945 (85%). Transition from the MTA 1945 to the MHA 2001 has had minimal impact on the admission rates, clinical profile or duration of detention of patients admitted involuntarily in the West Galway Mental Health Services.