Sleep stands as one of the most time-consuming biological imperatives in human existence, second only to breathing in its demand for dedicated hours. This article does not focus on tips …

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This article provides a detailed explanation of Mental Health Tribunals (MHTs) within the context of the Mental Health Act (MHA) 1983 in England and Wales. The MHA 1983 (Amended 2007) …

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The intersection of mental health law and clinical practice creates complex decision-making challenges for practitioners. A conceptual framework, which we call the Decision-making Triangle, offers clarity in navigating these challenges. This triangle comprises three interconnected elements: the acid test for deprivation of liberty, the definition of treatment under Section 145 of the Mental Health Act, …

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assessment, freedoms, human rights, law, medication, psychiatry, respect, rights, risk, standards, treatment

Cheshire West: What’s to be learned?

TheEditor

The Cheshire West case serves as a seminal authority on the interpretation of deprivation of liberty within the framework of the Mental Capacity Act and the European Convention on Human Rights. It has established a robust legal precedent, emphasising the universality of the right to liberty and the necessity of rigorous procedural safeguards to protect …

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assessment, care, DOLS, freedoms, human rights, law, liberties, liberty, MCA, MHA, psychiatry, rights, standards, treatment

Section 136: A Framework in Crisis

TheEditor

From 2017 changes to the MHA 1983 reduced the period of detention under 136 from 72 hours to 24 hours, with a provision to extend to 36 hours. Mental Health Services had struggled to deliver when the timeframe was 72 hours. Now they struggle even more, leading to unquantified instances nationally where Trusts have had …

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assessment, breach, conundrum, law, legal, psychiatry, regulation, rights, standards, statute, statutory

Partnering with AI in Medicine: Innovations in Diagnostics, Education, and Patient Care

TheEditor

Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to revolutionise healthcare, offering exciting opportunities to enhance the way doctors work. Tools like DeepSeek, Claude.ai (Amazon), Gemini (Google), Copilot (Microsoft) and Tulu3 are not here to replace medical professionals but to support them. By automating repetitive tasks, simplifying complex information, and uncovering patterns in data, AI can free up …

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administrative, AI, artificial intelligence, assessment, communication, decision-making, diagnosis, diagnostics, doctors, education, efficiency, health, health service, healthcare, medication, NHS, patients, psychiatry, research, treatment, workflow

A Tale of Two Capacities or is it One?

TheEditor

The differences between the conceptualisation of capacity under the Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA) and the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) in the UK are significant, particularly in their approaches to determining capacity for consent to treatment. The Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA) and the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) both address issues of capacity …

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assessment, capacity, consent, law, MCA, MHA, psychiatry, standards

Diagnostics and diagnosis

TheEditor

What is diagnostics? Diagnostics is about the methodology of coming to a diagnosis – the “how” of reaching a diagnosis. To arrive at a diagnosis it is essential to properly address the diagnostic process – which is what this article refers to as diagnostics. This article will focus on diagnosis in relation to diagnostics. Diagnostics is an inseparable part of …

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The 2024 Southport stabbings: A Case of Risk Lacunae and Protective Nets

TheEditor

The 2024 Southport stabbings refers to a heinous attack carried out Axel Rudakubana. He committed three murders and ten attempted murders. This article is constructed largely from information in the public domain and is being updated at intervals, as new information comes to light. Note again our ‘Fat Disclaimer‘. Rudakubana was 17 years old at the time he committed the …

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Is Diagnosis in Psychiatry More Art Than Science?

TheEditor

The claim that psychiatric diagnosis is “an art, not a science” is a dangerous myth, often perpetuated to the detriment of those struggling with mental illness. This misconception implies a reliance on subjective guesswork rather than the rigorous application of scientific principles that underpin other medical fields. While psychiatric diagnosis certainly presents unique complexities, it is undeniably grounded in scientific …

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