Implication of changes in Mental Health Laws in 2009-2010, a local Welsh experience

This study seeks to explore the nature and extent of any increase, along with the impact of the increase on the workload of the MHA/DoLs practitioners. Retrospective collection of data from MHA department and Guardianship/Deprivation of Liberty coordinators was followed by statistically evaluating the data.

Over all, there was 56% increase in the use of the MHA over the previous year; the number of Guardianship orders increased by 85% while CTO increased by 825% and the number of tribunal appeals increased by 260%. Guardianship orders were 100% for S7 with an average length of 24 months. 36% of Guardianship orders lasted less than a year. In 2009/10 there were 98 DoLs authorisations. 70% of DoLs authorisations were supervised by the Local Authorities compared to 30% by the Local Health Board. Rate of DoLs authorisations per 100,000 populations was 42.3 for Local Authorities and 6.6 for Local Health Board. The average time consumed for the all new assessments amounted to 234.4 extra days per year.

The study shows increase in the volume of MHA, Guardianships and DoLs assessments. The amendments of the Act 2007 also attract an increase in the appeal process. The use of both the Act and the Deprivation of Liberty has increased workload for all involved practitioners.