Training, Research And Quality Improvement
68
Psychiatric And Mental Health Services Operational Policy
a Admissions To Psychiatric Hospitals: •
Patients who are admitted voluntarily shall sign Form 1 of the MHA 2001.
• When a voluntary patient needs to be detained further, the
medical oficer shall sign Form 2 to enable detention for a further one month.
• Family members, relatives and friends can request for a patient’s
admission upon signing Form 3. The medical oficer assigned can then admit the patient by signing Form 4 and this admission must
be conirmed by the Head of Department Medical Director or any person assigned for such by signing Form 6. This detention is
valid for one month.
• Any patient brought involuntarily by members of public or police
or social worker can be admitted to a psychiatric hospital by the medical oficer of the hospital by signing Form 5. This admission is
valid for one day and must be conirmed by the Medical Director Head of Department by signing Form 6 within 24 hours.
• An admitted patient who requires a further detention after one
month will have to be examined by two different medical oficers one of whom must be a psychiatrist and if deemed that further
detention is necessary, Form 7 must be signed by these two doctors.
b New cases who need admission will require a thorough diagnostic workup. When CPGS are available, this should be adhered.
c Patients who had relapses should be reviewed and audited as to the reason for relapse and appropriate treatment instituted.
d Management of all inpatients should follow the biopsychososcial approach.
e Management of acute cases should follow recommendations as given in the relevant CPGs.
f The inpatient services should be a multidiscipline team consisting of psychiatrists, medical oficers, nurses, assistant medical oficers,
pharmacists, psychologists, counselors, occupational therapists and health education oficers.
g The responsibilities of the inpatient team include: •
Conduct daily ward rounds. •
Provide inpatient medical procedures include prescribing medications, perform investigations, provide counseling, perform
ECT, restraint and seclusion as indicated.