The use of nurses' power to detain
Our interest in this
Nurses have the power to detain people in hospital pending medical examination, in situations where that person, or others, may be at risk. This is often known as 'nurses' holding power'. Last year we noted a marked variation in the use of this power around Scotland and a significant difference in the way that it was used with men and women. We wanted to see if there was any change this year.
What we found
We continue to find significant variation in the use of this power between hospitals across the country. As in previous years, the notifications received from the Royal Edinburgh Hospital indicate a higher use compared to similar services elsewhere.
The use of the nurses' holding power to detain may be influenced by a number of factors such as local understanding of the power, variations in nursing practices and the availability of approved medical practitioners and mental health officers.
Since we started reporting on the use of this power, its use has been higher for women than for men. Nurses are perhaps more likely to restrain women.
Managers should examine the use of this power in their areas and ensure that nursing staff have a clear understanding about the appropriate use of their power to detain.
Annual reports
- directors introduction
- overview of the Mental Health (Care & Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 introduction
- new orders granted in 2008-09
- total numbers of 2003 Act orders in existence
- monitoring our priority areas
- additional findings from our monitoring of mental health law
- our overview of the use of the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000