Sectioned

Mental health issues are at a all time high. People are struggling to cope with job losses and rising cost of living charges. This women tell her story about being sectioned under the 'Mental Health Act'.

On the 24/4/2023 6 people arrived at the door and issued a warrant to enter the property under the Mental Health Act. This would allow them to issue section number 2. The people who arrived were 2 police officers, 1 doctor, a locksmith, a Manchester city council worker and the community ambulance service team. After the last time, when the early intervention team arrived, with the police and, let themselves in I was assaulted by the police officer. I thought this time, I would go calmly. The experience, was traumatic and stressful.

When I arrived outside, the police car and the locksmith were outside the neighbours house. The ambulance in the block where I live. I climbed into the ambulance and they drove me to the hospital.

When I arrived at the hospital at 2:03pm, I had to wait a while for the Manchester city council worker to arrive and for them to check me in. It felt like well over an hour, before I was allowed to go into the hospital. 

When I stepped outside, I was greeted by 6 NHS Security Guards, a nurse with an American accent who escorted me to a room. When I was told by the security guard I had been sectioned under the mental health act. And, from that point, everywhere I went, they went, two men sat outside changing shifts every two hours.

They restricted my outdoor time. Told me when I must come in and if I was allowed out. I was introduced to a mental health nurse with ID. She said I was being detained under the mental health act and, that meant they could tell me what to do and restrict my movements.

My family came to visit and have done most days since. I am still waiting to be assessed. I have continuously asked for my notes and an understanding as to why I am being 'detained' but still there has been no explanation.

30 hrs later I was moved over to a mental health hospital at 9pm. Two guards escorted and a nurse escorted myself and, my family. 

When I arrived, I had my items logged in front of everyone, which made me feel uncomfortable as I was aware of the presence in the room.

I was seen by a nurse who said she was a grade 5 bank staff nurse. She asked for some details, which I said look at the notes. She wrote my name down, someone else came in a man, and took it. I asked what are you doing with that? He replied to security checks.

The woman said that she asked for the procedures for admissions, fire evacuations and the general ward etiquettes. She was shown the fire doors by a support worker. A patient said that you are to congregate outside in the garden. She said, "the nearest fire door to her room was locked. Leaving no safe route for escape, had the fire started and blocked other avenues. Subsequently, the nurse from the first night hasn't been seen since.

Again, she said she has asked for the etiquettes, general does and don'ts, but nothing was given. She said she was only told, there are no rules only and, that Section 2 conditions; were rigorous. Earlier in the week a Junior Dr came in and prescribe me some sleeping tables. Which I declined. However, most nights since while I have been a sleep the support workers have woken me up to ask me if I have want to take my medication. I was also told that if I did not take the medication, they would inject it. I asked for them to show me wherever it states that. 

 said, "she had alternative dietary requirements, which she had made clear, still she had eaten the same meal 10 times out of the 14 meals that had been served. The meal was curry and rice..

She said she asked the nurse in charge for brown bread and Oat milk. She was told to buy her own as the kitchen only supplies soy milk. 

She eventually had to provide her own.

The question is; if someone has been sectioned under the Mental Health Act and, detained, which Is considered serious and treated rigorously. Would meeting that person's dietary needs be a, 'duty of care', to safeguard that person's wellness; if there were a genuine concern for that patient's Mental wellness?

Speaker for Civil Society Reporter