Department of Health Review of Research on the Mental Health Act 1983

Authors

  • Martin Humphreys
  • Helen Smith

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19164/ijmhcl.v0i3.316

Abstract

At the same time that the Government published the Report of the Expert Committee on the Review of the Mental Health Act 1983 and the accompanying consultation document, the Department of Health produced a systematic review of research relating to the Mental Health Act 1983. This was written jointly by a team made up of researchers and senior academics from King’s College School of Medicine and Dentistry, St George’s Hospital Medical School and the Institute of Psychiatry in London. It represents a major undertaking and will be an invaluable tool, particularly for those involved in research into mental health law and allied legislation, both in the UK and further afield, but also anyone involved in the care of detained patients. It is strengthened greatly by the fact that it was undertaken in a structured, rigorous and scientific manner and involved those with not only a formidable academic background, but also clinical experience in the use of the Act itself.

The review is comprehensive, both in form and content. The authors' stated aims to summarise the available current data and from that, determine how the Act has been used, and describe which parts are effective or otherwise, has generally been achieved.

Author Biographies

Martin Humphreys

Dr Martin S Humphreys, BDS, MB, BS, MRCPsych Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist, Reaside Clinic, Birmingham

Helen Smith

Dr Helen M Smith, MPhil (Cantab), MBChB, MRCPsych Clinical Lecturer and Specialist Registrar in Forensic Psychiatry, Reaside Clinic, Birmingham

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Published

2014-09-08

Issue

No. 3 (2000): February

Section

Articles and Comment

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