LAW & ETHICS

Law & Ethics



Law & Ethics

Scenario 1

Summary of the Scenario

In this case, Phillipa has 10 years of history of bipolar affective disorder. Her history shows that during depressive stages she frequently becomes suicidal and has in fact made several attempts to take her life over the last 9 years. Rob is familiar with her symptoms, he monitors her medication regime and tries to organize his work to ensure both Phillipa and Jason are supported and safe (Berkman, 2000, p137). Rob called the community Mental Health intake nurse telling them Phillipa has been hiding her medications after spitting them out, she has been up all night threatening Jason's teachers as she claims they are making unreasonable demands. Phillipa is agitated and hostile towards Rob and Jason. Further, he reported Phillipa refuses to attend the doctor or mental health staff. The nurse recommends he call an ambulance and the nurse takes responsibility to inform the acute mental health admissions staff. When the ambulance arrives Phillipa is even more agitated and refuses to go voluntarily.

Discussion

The Mental Health Act of 2000 (Qld) tends to set out the criteria and procedures to be followed in order to treat the mental health related problem in an effective and efficient manner ensuring that the individual rights remain intact. Mental health act tends to aid in the involuntary treatment as well as assessment in the protection of individuals with mental illnesses (Mental Health Act (Qld) 2000). Furthermore, it is also said to be aimed in safeguarding as well as balancing he right along with the freedom of people who are undergoing mental illnesses (Barker, 2011, p277).

In the entire Australian jurisdiction, the delivery of mental health services is synchronized and controlled through particular legislative provisions. The Mental Health Act 2000 (QId) provides involuntary assessment, treatment and protection of patients with mental illnesses but also set up the legislative commitment to "protect their rights"(Mental Health Act (Qld) 2000). The delivery of mental health services, and the condition of medical, nursing related care within those services, goes on day-to-day basis in a large prearranged and regulated legal structure (Wand , 2001, p166). In this paper we have discussed the case about Phillipa. She is 28 years old married women, she has 10 year history of bipolar affective disorder.

Based on the status of the patient and also considering the mental health act it can be noted that the act is said to contain provisions in relation to the initiation of the involuntary assessment of the patient and at the same time gives the authority to conduct involuntary treatment. It also entails a review that is said to be independent when it comes to the treatment as well as the patients' rights that is involuntary by nature (Pritchard, 2006, p200).. It is this act that tends to facilitate in providing the processes for the admission of individuals who are mentally ill and at the same time are also offenders (Aneshensel, 2000, ...