Percentages of statements considered by respondents to be true
| Number surveyed | Consultants 16 | SpRs 14 | SHOs 24 | Nurses 33 | Police 92 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statements and corresponding values in bold print represent the correct options. | |||||
| All results are represented as percentages. | |||||
| Two senior nurses and one police constable said they knew nothing at all about section 136 and thus answered, “don't know” to all questions. | |||||
| 1. For a person to be placed on a section 136 they must fulfil which if any of the following criteria? | |||||
| a) They must have a diagnosed mental disorder | 0 | 0 | 21 | 6.1 | 5.4 |
| b) Be in immediate need of care or control | 93.7 | 92.9 | 91.6 | 78.8 | 93.5 |
| c) Be a risk to themselves | 81.3 | 92.9 | 87.5 | 81.8 | 79.3 |
| d) Appear to be suffering from a mental disorder | 87.5 | 64.3 | 66.7 | 45.5 | 83.7 |
| e) Be in no immediate need of care or control | 6.25 | 0 | 33.3 | 0 | 2.2 |
| f) Be a risk to others | 87.5 | 92.9 | 83.3 | 57.6 | 73.9 |
| g) Be sober | 12.5 | 7.1 | 41.7 | 33.3 | 15.2 |
| 2. A patient may be placed on a section 136 by | |||||
| a) Any doctor | 25 | 50 | 29.2 | 24.2 | 44.4 |
| b) A social worker | 18.75 | 50 | 29.2 | 51.5 | 26.1 |
| c) Any police officer | 100 | 64.3 | 45.8 | 54.5 | 56.6 |
| d) A psychiatrist | 31.25 | 64.3 | 70.9 | 75.8 | 60.9 |
| e) Any member of the public | 12.5 | 7.2 | 12.5 | 3 | 1.1 |
| f) A registered mental nurse | 6.25 | 42.8 | 33.3 | 36.4 | 36.9 |
| g) The patient's general practitioner | 18.75 | 64.3 | 41.7 | 36.6 | 41.3 |
| 3. A patient may be placed on a section 136 in | |||||
| a) Their own home | 43.75 | 57.1 | 45.8 | 66.7 | 14.1 |
| b) A public place | 87.5 | 71.4 | 50 | 51.5 | 82.6 |
| c) An A&E department | 62.5 | 85.3 | 66.7 | 72.7 | 70.6 |
| d) A police station | 75 | 85.8 | 75 | 81.8 | 61.9 |
| e) Anywhere | 37.5 | 50 | 37.5 | 36.4 | 19.6 |
| 4. Which if any of the following is normally regarded as a place of safety? | |||||
| a) An A&E department | 56.25 | 50 | 54.2 | 78.8 | 78.3 |
| b) A general practitioner's surgery | 12.5 | 7.1 | 16.7 | 18.2 | 27.2 |
| c) A psychiatric hospital | 100 | 64.3 | 79.2 | 87.9 | 89.2 |
| d) A police station | 93.75 | 100 | 70.8 | 75.8 | 78.3 |
| e) The patient's own home | 12.5 | 7.1 | 8.4 | 15.2 | 13.1 |
| 5. Who would normally be expected to assess a patient on a section 136? | |||||
| a) Their own general practitioner | 25 | 21.4 | 33.3 | 39.4 | 33.7 |
| b) A registered mental nurse | 12.5 | 14.3 | 29.2 | 33.3 | 31.5 |
| c) Any doctor | 43.75 | 14.3 | 16.7 | 15.2 | 34.8 |
| d) Any social worker | 0 | 7.1 | 8.3 | 6.1 | 5.4 |
| e) A psychiatric registrar | 37.5 | 21.4 | 58.3 | 57.6 | 48.9 |
| f) An approved social worker | 50 | 50 | 41.7 | 57.6 | 64.1 |
| g) The custody sergeant | 31.25 | 35.7 | 25 | 21.2 | 55.4 |
| h) A consultant psychiatrist | 68.75 | 35.7 | 79.2 | 81.8 | 27.2 |
| 6. Which if any of the following documentation must be provided to those assessing a person detained under a section 136? | |||||
| a) No documentation | 18.75 | 14.3 | 8.3 | 12.1 | 23.9 |
| b) A record of arrival and discharge times | 25 | 21.4 | 37.5 | 18.2 | 20.7 |
| c) A letter from the patient's general practitioner | 0 | 7.1 | 4.2 | 12.1 | 7.6 |
| d) The police constables notebook | 37.5 | 21.4 | 20.8 | 21.2 | 8.7 |
| e) An official section 136 form | 75 | 71.4 | 66.7 | 63.4 | 20.7 |
| f) The medical records | 6.25 | 57.1 | 29.2 | 36.4 | 40.2 |
| 7. If a patient on a section 136 is seen in the A&E department what rights have they got? | |||||
| a) None | 0 | 0 | 8.4 | 3 | 1.1 |
| b) Anyone of their choice informed of their whereabouts | 87.5 | 71.4 | 66.7 | 72.7 | 52.2 |
| c) Access to legal advice if requested | 68.75 | 78.6 | 54.2 | 48.5 | 35.9 |
| d) They do not require to be provided with an explanatory leaflet | 31.25 | 7.1 | 0 | 24.2 | 13.1 |
| e) Explanatory leaflets should be provided prior to attending A&E | 25 | 28.6 | 4.2 | 12.1 | 3.3 |
| f) Explanatory leaflets must be provided by the A&E staff | 0 | 21.4 | 20.8 | 9.1 | 18.5 |
| 8. Can a patient be transferred while on a section 136? | |||||
| a) True | 43.75 | 64.3 | 50 | 45.5 | 29.3 |
| b) False | 43.75 | 14.3 | 4.2 | 36.4 | 40.2 |
| c) Don't know | 12.5 | 21.4 | 45.8 | 18.2 | 30.5 |
| 9. When a patient is brought to the A&E department by the police whilst on a section 136; | |||||
| a) The police must stay with the patient until appropriate assessment takes place | 75 | 85.7 | 62.5 | 57.6 | 43.5 |
| b) The police must stay when the safety of the patient or staff so require | 56.25 | 78.6 | 66.7 | 78.8 | 71.7 |
| c) The police need not stay with the patient as their only role is the transfer of the patient to the A&E department | 18.75 | 0 | 12.5 | 30.3 | 23.9 |
| d) The police should return to the station to complete the appropriate paperwork | 18.75 | 28.6 | 8.4 | 9.1 | 10.9 |
| e) The police are not involved in a section 136 | 0 | 7.1 | 8.3 | 9.1 | 7.6 |
| 10. Normally a patient can only be discharged from a section 136 by; | |||||
| a) His/her general practitioner | 12.5 | 14.3 | 12.5 | 9.1 | 10.9 |
| b) A psychiatric registrar | 25 | 28.6 | 29.2 | 39.4 | 19.6 |
| c) An approved social worker | 37.5 | 35.7 | 8.3 | 27.3 | 34.8 |
| d) A consultant psychiatrist | 68.75 | 64.3 | 66.7 | 78.8 | 73.9 |
| e) The custody officer | 31.25 | 50 | 16.7 | 9.1 | 57.6 |
| f) The A&E triage nurse | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.1 |
| g) The A&E registrar | 6.25 | 0 | 12.5 | 15.2 | 6.5 |
| 11. Have you ever had any formal training regarding section 136? | |||||
| a) Yes | 37.5 | 7.1 | 0 | 6.1 | 22.8 |
| b) No | 72.5 | 92.9 | 100 | 93.9 | 77.2 |