Abstract
<p><strong>Objective.</strong> To determine compliance with Section 40 (1-3) of the Mental Health Care Act (MHCA) No 17 of 2002, viz. handing over custody by the South African Police Service (SAPS) of suspected mentally ill patients to medical services at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital (CHBH).</p><p><strong>Methods.</strong> The study was a retrospective record review of patients who were 18 years and older, referred by SAPS to CHBH. In accordance with Section 40 of the MHCA, a MHCA form 22 is completed when suspected mentally ill patients are handed over by SAPS to the medical services. MHCA forms 22 that were completed during the period July 2007 to December 2007 were obtained from hospital records and analysed to determine the compliance of SAPS and medical practitioners in completing them. <strong></strong></p><p><strong>Results.</strong> During the study period, 708 of the 718 patients handed over by SAPS to the Emergency Department of CHBH were entered on MHCA forms 22. SAPS officials had correctly completed 86% of the forms, whereas the medical practitioners had only correctly completed 9.9% of the forms. Of the 718 patients handed over by SAPS, 319 (44%) were discharged for outpatient care.</p><p><strong>Conclusion.</strong> The findings of this study suggest that not all parties fully comply with Section 40 of the Mental Health Care Act No 17 of 2002. We suggest that the situation can be improved by training of all parties; amendments to the MHCA form 22; partnership between mental health care practitioners and members of SAPS; and combining resources towards implementing a crisis intervention model similar to that in other countries.</p>
Highlights
708 of the 718 patients handed over by South African Police Service (SAPS) to the Emergency Department of Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital (CHBH) were entered on Mental Health Care Act (MHCA) forms 22
We suggest that the situation can be improved by training of all parties; amendments to the MHCA form 22; partnership between mental health care practitioners and members of SAPS; and combining resources towards implementing a crisis intervention model similar to that in other countries
The Act serves to preclude the detention of acutely mentally ill users in police cells, and prioritises prompt access to local hospitals. It defines the role of the various stakeholders regarding transportation, hospitalisation and care of a mental health care users (MHCUs) within the criminal justice system. It sets out a clear policy and working relationship between SAPS and medical services, especially concerning the humane handling of MHCUs when they are acutely ill
Summary
The study was a retrospective record review of patients who were 18 years and older, referred by SAPS to CHBH. MHCA forms 22 that were completed during the period July 2007 to December 2007 were obtained from hospital records and analysed to determine the compliance of SAPS and medical practitioners in completing them. At Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital (CHBH), members of SAPS transfer all suspected mentally ill patients to the medical officer (MO) at the Emergency Department (ED). The MHCA form 22 serves to formalise this process, being used to record information at all steps in the procedure regarding the apprehension, handover and physical condition of the MHCU. The MO in the emergency room completes the form 22 (including the sections relating to physical condition of the MHCU at handover and the physical examination findings) and may refer the MHCU to the medical admission ward (MAW).The HHE at CHBH designates the ED’s admitting MO to complete this section of form 22. Copies of all psychiatric notes are placed in the patient’s file, together with a copy of the form 22, which is stored in the Psychiatry Department’s filing room
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