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Patient Information Leaflet

Section 3 Mental Health Act 1983  

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Your name

……………………………………

Your hospital doctor’s name is

………………………………………

They are a psychiatrist, which means they are a doctor who looks after people’s mental health.

Sometimes they are known as your responsible clinician or RC.

You have come to a mental health hospital called

…………………………….

You are on……………….. Ward

Phone number…………………

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You have been put on a Section 3 of the Mental Health Act.

Date your Section started

……………………………

This leaflet is to help you understand what this means.

A qualified member of staff should read through this leaflet with you.

They will be able to answer any of your questions.

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Two doctors say that you are unwell and need treatment, because

…………………………………

Why am I in hospital?

An approved mental health practitioner also called an AMHP has agreed with the doctors.

These people are usually social workers, but not always.

Even if you feel the section is wrong, for now it will continue.

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The ward staff will support you and offer you treatment will try to get better.

You can be kept in hospital because you are on Section 3 of the Mental Health Act 1983.

The Mental Health Act 1983 is a law.

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You can be kept in hospital for up to 6 months.

If need to stay for longer your section might be renewed.

If you are better before 6 months your doctor could take you off your section.

This means you could go home.

If you want to leave the hospital for a short time, talk to your doctor.

They need to decide if it is safe.

How long will I be in hospital?

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If the doctor agrees, they will say where you can go and what time you have to come back.

This is called Section 17 leave.

If you try to leave before the doctor says it is ok, you will be stopped.

If you leave hospital before the doctor says it is ok, you will be brought back.

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The doctors and nurses will offer you treatment to help with

……………………………….

You may have to take tablets or medicine.

What help will I get in hospital?

These are some of the people who can help you to get better:

Doctors

Nurses

Occupational Therapists - OT

Speech and language therapists - SLT

Healthcare support workers - HSW

Psychologists

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You will get support to

……………………………….

……………………………….

You have a RIGHT to an independent mental health advocate sometimes called an IMHA.

They can help you understand your rights and treatment options.

They can help get support and legal representation.

They do not work for the hospital and will speak up on your behalf.

The service is free and confidential.

If you would like an advocate, speak to the staff, who can give you more information.

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What happens next?  

If you don’t agree with your Section 3 you can appeal.

There is another leaflet explaining how you can do this.

Your case will be discussed at weekly meeting called a ward round.

Visiting time on the ward are

………………………………

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There will be a bigger meeting every month called a review.

Everyone involved with your care and treatment should be invited to your review.

Both of these meetings are a good time to talk about your:

Leave

Medication

Problems

Feelings

You can be kept in hospital for up to 6 months.

This can be renewed for another 6 months and then yearly if needed.

The doctor will decide if you need to stay for longer than 6 months.

This will be done in a review before the 6 months is up.

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Letting your nearest relative know

A leaflet explaining this information will be given to your nearest relative.

We understand your nearest relative is

………………………………………………..

If you don’t want them to have this information please tell the person in charge of the ward.

Community Learning Disability Teams

If you have support the community learning disability team they will stay involved. Your care co-ordinator is

……………………………………………...

They will visit, come to your meetings and help with your discharge planning. If you do not have support from anyone in the community teams, you or a member of staff could ring:

Conwy CLDT: (01492) 575374

Denbigh CLDT: (01824) 712400

Flintshire CLDT: (01352) 701081

North Gwynedd CLDT: (01286) 682751

South Gwynedd CLDT: (01758) 704145

Ynys Môn CLDT: (01248) 752065

Wrexham CLDT: (01978) 298484

Mental Health Liaison: 07919302312