Who can be 'sectioned' under the Mental Health Act 1983?
People with different types of defined "mental disorder" can be admitted to hospital against their will under the Act.
These include those with "severe mental impairment", "psychopathic disorder" or "mental illness".
What happens during the sectioning process?
A patient can be sectioned if they are perceived to be a threat to themselves or other people.
Generally, a patient can only be sectioned if two doctors and a social worker or a close relative of the patient believe it is necessary.
One of these doctors is usually a psychiatrist. The other is often a doctor who knows the patient well.
However, in an emergency one doctor's recommendation may be sufficient.
An approved social worker also has to be involved in the assessment, and has to agree that being sectioned is the best course of action for that patient.
The social worker then makes the application for a place in secure accommodation for the patient.
Sectioning a patient enables doctors to assess the extent of the patient's mental disorder and, if necessary, to administer treatment.