Loading...
Improving the Use of Section 5(2) of the Mental Health Act - Mental Health Liaison Team and UHCW
Hasnaoui, Sabrina Supported by the Quality Improvement Team
Hasnaoui, Sabrina
Supported by the Quality Improvement Team
Citations
Altmetric:
Affiliation
Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust
Other Contributors
Publication date
2026-01-22
Subject
Collections
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Abstract
Project Aim: To reduce discrepancies with data on the use of Section 5(2) of the Mental Health Act (MHA) from 42% in April 2024 to 0% by April 2025.
Section 5(2) of the Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA) allows for the compulsory detainment of mentally unwell inpatients in hospital for up to
72 hours. Compliance with the MHA Code of Practice should be maintained to ensure the lawful detention of patients. Outside psychiatric hospital settings, healthcare staff may be less familiar with the requirements of the MHA and its application. This project aimed to reduce discrepancies with data on the use of Section 5(2) and improve the accuracy of the information recorded.
Tools Used:
SPC Chart - https://aqua.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/qsir-statistical-process-control.pdf;
Driver Diagram - https://aqua.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/qsir-driver-diagrams.pdf;
PDSA Cycles - https://aqua.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/qsir-pdsa-cycles-model-for-improvement.pdf ;
Process Mapping - https://aqua.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/qsir-conventional-process-mapping.pdf.
Project Impact: 100% of Section5(2) detentions are now known to both UHCW and the CWPT Mental Health Liaison Team. Members of the safeguarding team have been upskilled through locally arranged MHA teaching sessions and formal Mental Health Administrator training. Collaboration and increased communication between the acute and mental health trust. Increase in accuracy of section 5(2) paperwork from 59% to 85%. All old versions of the 5(2) form removed from throughout the hospital site. All detained patients throughout the hospital now have alert flags added to electronic medical records and are placed on a safer staffing tool to ensure MHA administrative oversight by the Safeguarding Team. Data on all detentions is presented at a bimonthly Mental Health Safeguarding Subgroup with oversight from the Chief Nursing Officer. UHCW run regular quarterly audits on MHA paperwork quality and present this at a newly established MHA governance meeting which a CWPT Consultant Psychiatrist also attends.
Citation
Hasnaoui, Sabrina. Improving the Use of Section 5(2) of the Mental Health Act - Mental Health Liaison Team and UHCW. Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, 2025
Type
Internal Poster