The simulated mental health review tribunal – a valuable training tool for senior house officers?

Abstract

Aims and MethodPsychiatric senior house officers currently receive little formal training in how to give testimony at mental health review tribunals. The development of a simulated tribunal workshop for trainees, which is group-based, interactive and experiential in nature, with meaningful user and carer input is described.ResultsWe have incorporated simulated mental health review tribunal workshops into our academic programme and these have been successfully evaluated. Feedback has shown a marked increase in the confidence levels of trainees regarding tribunals.Clinical ImplicationsThe new Mental Health Act (England and Wales) is likely to place increasing demands on psychiatrists, in terms of giving testimony at mental health review tribunals. Simulated training for senior house officers, incorporating user and carer perspectives, can improve their skills and confidence in presenting at actual tribunals.

Stakeholders' views of legal and advice services for people admitted to psychiatric hospital

“…Hospital managers also have an important role to play in ensuring that processes are adhered to (Gregory 2000). It has been suggested that Tribunal decisions should be based on a broader understanding of mental health needs, be supported by a more systematic use of witnesses, and that more adequate training for MHRT staff is necessary (Eastman 1995;Mayor 2002;Naeem et al 2007). Increasingly Tribunals have to be mindful of the requirements of the Human Rights Act (Macgregor-Morris et al 2001;Bindman et al 2003;Davidson et al 2003;Lodge 2005).…”

Knowledge of mental health legislation in junior doctors training in psychiatry

“…As the 2007 amendments to the Mental Health Act 1983 are likely to increase the workload for healthcare staff, extra resources will be required to provide additional medical time, increasing the likelihood of trainees getting involved in situations where they have to demonstrate the knowledge of the Act. 13 Results Trainees' knowledge of professionally relevant sections of the Mental Health Act was patchy. Knowledge correlated significantly with experience in clinical practice and with experience of using mental health legislation.…”