Citation

Brahams D. Lancet 1987; 2(8555): 406.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1987, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

2886870

Abstract

Brahams recounts a recent case in which a community physician applied under Britain's National Assistance Act to have an aged, physically handicapped patient involuntarily detained in hospital for care. The woman was mentally competent but had difficulty in caring for herself, and her health had deteriorated on several occasions after disputes with visiting nurses. Her consultant geriatrician and the patient argued for home care with assistance from district services, while district services argued for "prophylactic" involuntary hospital admission based on the patient's history. The magistrates decided in the patient's favor, but Brahams warns that the outcome might have been different had the latter not been supported by her consultant and a solicitor. She cautions that the National Assistance Act could be misused to hospitalize patients for administrative convenience, while valid candidates for care are neglected.

Language: en