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Involuntary hospitalisation: old and new

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 January 2007

Saxby Pridmore
Saxby Pridmore
Affiliation:
Discipline of Psychiatry, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia PICU, Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Abstract

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Current western involuntary hospitalisation legislation is based on legal philosophy and the freedom of the individual. Legislation based on medical philosophy, which focused on the need for care has been deposed. Formerly, doctors had greater authority, but with this came the difficulty of balancing the opposing agendas from various quarters. This role has been adopted by Mental Health Tribunals. Eventually, doctors accepted the new system, which in some ways made their lives easier. They continue to be concerned that the emphasis on freedom leaves some non-dangerous disorganized patients without care.

Keywords

Mental health legislationinvoluntary hospitalisationpsychiatric intensive care
Type
Commentary
Information
Journal of Psychiatric Intensive Care , Volume 2 , Issue 1 , June 2006 , pp. 43 - 45
Copyright
© 2006 NAPICU

References

Chaleby, K. (2001) Forensic Psychiatry in Islamic Jurisprudence. The International Institute of Islamic Thought, Richmond, Surry, UK.
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