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Chapter 2 - Legislation Relevant to the Management of Violence by Persons With Mental Disorders

from Section 1 - General Aspects of Management

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 May 2023

By
Anthony Beschizza ,
Dominic Dougall  and
Masum Khwaja
Edited by
Masum Khwaja  and
Peter Tyrer
Masum Khwaja
Affiliation:
Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London
Peter Tyrer
Affiliation:
Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London
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Summary

This chapter provides an overview of the legislative frameworks that are relevant to the management of violence by persons with mental disorders in the United Kingdom. Three jurisdictions apply (England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland). Individual frameworks and their variants are not discussed in detail; rather, substantial differences relevant to the management of violence are highlighted. Core principles guiding routine medical practice of ‘consent’ and ‘do no harm’ remain relevant in the management of violence, and legislation provides a framework when coercion may be necessary to manage an acute violent act, the immediate risk of further violence or the longer-term risk of violence. Pertinent legislation is discussed, including the Human Rights Act 1998, and mental health and mental capacity acts. Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), which are soon to be replaced by the Liberty Protection Safeguard Scheme (LPS), community treatment orders (CTOs) and review of the Mental Health Act are also discussed.

Keywords

Legislationviolencemental disordershuman rights actmental capacity actmental health actDoLsLPSCTOsrestriction orders
Type
Chapter
Information
The Prevention and Management of Violence
Guidance for Mental Healthcare Professionals
 , pp. 15 - 24
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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