A local review of section 17 leave forms in conjunction with the Mental Health Act Code of Practice: recommendations for future practice

Abstract

Aims and method The aim of this project was to set out recommendations for the section 17 leave form to reflect guidance provided in the Mental Health Act 1983: Code of Practice, following local Care Quality Commission feedback. We reviewed guidance in the Code and publicly available leave forms to identify items to include in the leave form. Then, we determined which publicly available leave forms included each item and reviewed whether the item should be included in the leave form and whether any reformulation was needed. Results Using the method described, we identified a list of items that should be included in the leave form. When comparing the leave forms of different trusts, there was considerable variation with respect to which items were included in each form. Clinical implications We provide some recommendations for future practice regarding section 17 leave forms to facilitate consistency with the Code and between different trusts.

Keywords

• Psychiatry and law
• in-patient treatment
• clinical governance
• qualitative research
• rehabilitation