Sectioned

Eowyn

Registered User
Jul 27, 2019
27
0
After a very tough fortnight of confusion and ever-increasing anger and threatening behaviour towards my Mum (and one incident of assault) my poor Dad was sectioned yesterday. I will not lie and say it wasn’t painful, but we all know this is the best thing for him and there was no other way.

The plan was to have him sectioned today, but the situation reached crisis point sooner than anticipated and the police and ambulance had to be called. The paramedics were shown into the house by my uncle, while Mum waited at a neighbours house, and the police sat out of sight in case they were seen and caused any upset. I cannot fault either of them for the level of care and kindness shown to him and us.

Initially Dad was taken to A&E and there he received his MH assessment. They have now detained him under section 2 of the MH Act for up to 28 days and transferred him to a specialist unit. I’m scared for him, he must be very frightened and confused, but I have to be strong and remember that this was the final straw. Hopefully a tweak in his meds will soon have him calm and present again; the house felt very empty after he left.
 

Izzy

Volunteer Moderator
Aug 31, 2003
74,004
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72
Dundee
I’m so sorry to read of your situation. Such a difficult time for you all. Wishing you and your mum strength,
 

Sarasa

Volunteer Host
Apr 13, 2018
7,195
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Nottinghamshire
Sorry to here that @Eowyn, but your dad is now in the best place to get help he really needs. Hope you and your mum are OK, Look after you now, you are both important too,
 

Brother47

Registered User
Jan 18, 2020
174
0
That's so awful for all concerned but it is for the best all round. You need to take care of yourself as well as your Mum in this stressful time.
 

Eowyn

Registered User
Jul 27, 2019
27
0
Thanks everyone for your replies. Dad has been in hospital for a week now and it’s getting easier each day. He was initially taken to a general psychiatric ward, where he was not very happy at all, but he has since been transferred to a specialist dementia ward at a local hospital. We hear that he’s settling down, although he still has his moments; and however upsetting it is to hear that, we know he’s in the best care and surrounded by professionals who understand him and his needs.

We have since been contacted by an admiral nurse who is coming to see us soon to talk about what happens next. It’s all so unfamiliar to us so we are grateful for all the help being offered. I still have periods of introspection and guilt - I worry that he might feel sad or abandoned by us - but in spite of this I know there wasn’t much more we could do as a family to keep him safe and well.
 

Eowyn

Registered User
Jul 27, 2019
27
0
Going for our first CPA meeting today, not sure what to expect and we are quite apprehensive. The hospital have asked for a copy of the LPA certificate, why would they want that when it’s an NHS hospital? Mum is suspicious, I think I am too.
 

Baker17

Registered User
Mar 9, 2016
3,382
0
Going for our first CPA meeting today, not sure what to expect and we are quite apprehensive. The hospital have asked for a copy of the LPA certificate, why would they want that when it’s an NHS hospital? Mum is suspicious, I think I am too.
There’s no need to be suspicious in my experience every time my husband has been admitted to hospital I’ve been asked if I have LPA and when he went into a care home I was asked the same so as it could go in his file. Hope your meeting goes well and your father gets the appropriate care x
 

Hayley jane

Registered User
Apr 1, 2020
29
0
@Eowyn , they will check the LPA because if it isn’t registered Properly they have to apply for a DOLs which effectively means they can legally make decisions to detain
and decide what’s best for him. The LPA means you have the power to make decisions for him but if you didn’t have it they would apply for a DOLS. This has happened with my dad as we didn’t have an LPA but to be honest it hasn’t been a problem as the carehome seem to be doing a good job. If we wanted to move him we would have to get their permission from them because They have the legal responsibility for him. If we tried to take him without permission it could be considered as kidnap ! I’m sure it wouldn’t come to that though ?. I wonder if you didn’t agree with what they are suggesting is in his best interest they might be able to apply for a DOLs
 

canary

Registered User
Feb 25, 2014
25,018
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South coast
A DoLS has nothing to do with POA @Hayley jane
A DoLs is a safeguarding issue when someone is deprived of their liberty for their own safety. It is used to make sure that the deprivation of liberty is appropriate and reasonable.
If no-one has a Health and Welfare POA, then a decision about health matters is made using Best Interests. In either case DoLS has to be applied for.
 

Mydarlingdaughter

Registered User
Oct 25, 2019
205
0
North East England UK
It sounds like your Dad is in the best place possible given the situation. They will want as much information about him as possible and this is to help decide a plan for the future, so the LPA would be relevant. The DoLS is to give them short term legal authority to detain him if he were to attempt to leave. I understand it is less restrictive than being "sectioned". Mainly because it is short term and just applies to being detained. Without a Dols its illegal for a hospital to keep someone against their will.
 

imthedaughter

Registered User
Apr 3, 2019
944
0
Going for our first CPA meeting today, not sure what to expect and we are quite apprehensive. The hospital have asked for a copy of the LPA certificate, why would they want that when it’s an NHS hospital? Mum is suspicious, I think I am too.
There are two types of LPA - one is finance and property, and the other is health and welfare. My guess is that you and mum are thinking of the finance one, and although that's probably something that is good for them to know about (and put on file so they know who to contact), the hospital are probably going to be more interested in the health and welfare one.

I hold both of these for my dad (and my nan and my mum, who currently don't need me to do anything for them but it's in place in case something ever happens).

For my dad I actively use it and have his health LPA registered at his GP, for example, and the finance one registered with his bank. I can't remember which I showed to his care home, possibly both.

I see I am late replying, I hope it went well.
 

Hayley jane

Registered User
Apr 1, 2020
29
0
A DoLS has nothing to do with POA @Hayley jane
A DoLs is a safeguarding issue when someone is deprived of their liberty for their own safety. It is used to make sure that the deprivation of liberty is appropriate and reasonable.
If no-one has a Health and Welfare POA, then a decision about health matters is made using Best Interests. In either case DoLS has to be applied for.
@canary , Hi Canary , yes I am aware . Perhaps I didn’t explain what I meant very well. I do have working knowledge of LPAs , I work in health but I also know if an LPA hasn’t been registered properly then they have no legal basis. if an
A DoLS has nothing to do with POA @Hayley jane
A DoLs is a safeguarding issue when someone is deprived of their liberty for their own safety. It is used to make sure that the deprivation of liberty is appropriate and reasonable.
If no-one has a Health and Welfare POA, then a decision about health matters is made using Best Interests. In either case DoLS has to be applied for.
@canary , yes I am aware of that, I work at a hospital. perhaps I didn’t explain what I meant very well. I deal with LPA,s but if you don’t have a properly registered one it has no legal basis so they do get checked.
 

Jessbow

Registered User
Mar 1, 2013
5,680
0
Midlands
@canary , Hi Canary , yes I am aware . Perhaps I didn’t explain what I meant very well. I do have working knowledge of LPAs , I work in health but I also know if an LPA hasn’t been registered properly then they have no legal basis. if an

@canary , yes I am aware of that, I work at a hospital. perhaps I didn’t explain what I meant very well. I deal with LPA,s but if you don’t have a properly registered one it has no legal basis so they do get checked.


Lpa and Dols have no correlation at all.

if a placement needs a Dols, they will apply for a Dols irrespective of a LPA.

I had LPA for my now late mother, properly registered an all that. They needed a DOLs order. I was told they would be applying for one ( it wasn't for me to question) . If Mum decided to walk out of the front door, they needed the authority to turn her round and bring her back.

What bearing would my holding a LPA have on that?

It wasn't even that I wasn't around, I visited most days, and when I didn't ,m my brother ( Joint POA) did.
 

Eowyn

Registered User
Jul 27, 2019
27
0
Very difficult day today full of mixed emotions. We had a call from the hospital earlier where dad is staying under section (recently upgraded from 2 to 3) to say that he had been attacked by another patient and was at A&E receiving treatment for a damaged eye socket (possible fracture, currently awaiting a CT scan). The attack was unprovoked and he didn’t retaliate, instead he called for help and waited for the nursing staff to intervene. The hospital asked if we wanted to press charges against the other patient, which we said we don’t, but it’s upsetting to think that this has happened in the one place we hoped he would be safe. I’m sure they will take urgent steps to make sure it can’t happen again, but I’m starting to feel angry that it has happened at all. Am I wrong to feel this way? I know they have a very hard job to do, but when we are trusting them with our loved ones - and we can’t even visit to see how it operates on the inside - it leaves us searching for answers in the dark and very worried about him.
 

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