Comminity treatment order

kendalls_cave

I am currently in hospital again due to my mental health. I have been in and out for many years.

I had ward round today, and it was mentioned about putting me on a community treatment order (CTO)

I've read about them online, but I'm just wonder if anyone has any personal experience and if it has helped. Thanks

Sugar_Coated_Owl

I don't have any personal experience of them but as someone who is frequently in and out of hospital (I'm currently on a section 3) I have known people who have been put on a CTO and it seems to have worked for them.

CKhalvashi

***Please note, I am not a qualified Medical Professional***

Longer-term leave of absence may not be granted to a patient unless the responsible clinician first considers whether the patient should be discharged on a CTO (s17(2A)). Longer-term leave is defined as more than seven consecutive days, or an extension which would make the total period more than seven consecutive days (s17(2B)).
The criteria of which the RC must be satisfied are found in s17A(5):
(a) the patient is suffering from mental disorder of a nature or degree which makes it appropriate for him to receive medical treatment; (b) it is necessary for his health or safety or for the protection of other persons that he should receive such treatment; (c) subject to his being liable to be recalled as mentioned in paragraph (d) below, such treatment can be provided without his continuing to be detained in a hospital; (d) it is necessary that the responsible clinician should be able to exercise the power under section 17E(1) below to recall the patient to hospital; and (e) appropriate medical treatment is available for him.

The above is directly linked to information that I've been given with regard to one of my residents (I'm a Hertfordshire Cllr), although it looks like anything is going to have to go through an Approved Mental Health Practitioner (Social Worker/Nurse) before being approved.


I hope this helps, as I have not studied in detail yet.


CK

wolfehouse

my experience of having a lo on a cto is a good one.
it is part of the move to care in the community rather than keeping people locked up for life.

it means you have to comply with whatever terms are decided i.e. taking medication and /or living in a specific setting (supported housing etc) or else they can return you to hospital.

imho it is a great way of making sure someone with limited insight who might not otherwise get treatment or might refuse treatment and yet isn't well enough yet to be making those decisions is in fact getting treatment, is supported and protected.

they will not leave the cto in place as soon as the psychiatrist feels they do not have 'grounds' to ask for it to apply in law. e.g. if you are deemed capable and are willingly accepting help and medication.

NeverEnough

Good advice given by Wolfehouse.
I am a Consultant Psychiatrist and regularly have reason to use CTOs. They are designed to try to stop the "revolving door" type admissions where people are repeatedly admitted to hospital after just a brief time in the community, as they stoptheir meds or fail to attend their appointments and deteriorate quickly after discharge.

With a CTO, the patient agrees with their psychiatrist to take certain medication, to attend appointments, to allow nurses to visit, to live in a certain place and other similar terms ( can be different for each individual) and is then allowed home.

If they fail to keep to the terms, they can be readmitted to hospital quickly, under the law, for up to 72 hours, under the CTO. In that time they can be reassessed for a Section 3 if they are really poorly and need longer admission.


If someone on a CTO is doing really well, the consultant can discharge them off it, also it lasts for six months in the first instance, just like a Section 3, but you can be discharged off it any time when the doctor feels you don't need to be on it. You can also apply for a Tribunal, just like the Sections.

Hope that helps with explaining it and best wishes with yur recovery.

NeverEnough

CKhalvashi wrote: »

***Please note, I am not a qualified Medical Professional***





[/I]The above is directly linked to information that I've been given with regard to one of my residents (I'm a Hertfordshire Cllr), although it looks like anything is going to have to go through an Approved Mental Health Practitioner (Social Worker/Nurse) before being approved.


I hope this helps, as I have not studied in detail yet.


CK

Under the changes to the Mental Health Act in 2007, an Approved Clinician who is the the patients Responsible Clinician must complete the application for the CTO along with an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) ( social worker) . Other professionals have to be consulted and noted on the application as well. Its quite a complex arrangement and generally agreed via Multidisciplinary Meeting with the patient.

CKhalvashi

NeverEnough wrote: »

Under the changes to the Mental Health Act in 2007, an Approved Clinician who is the the patients Responsible Clinician must complete the application for the CTO along with an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) ( social worker) . Other professionals have to be consulted and noted on the application as well. Its quite a complex arrangement and generally agreed via Multidisciplinary Meeting with the patient.

Thanks for clarifying this, as I was aware that it probably not be as simple as it looked on paper!

I've given the case in question to another specialist, which is why I haven't done the digging that would be required to work this out!

CK

kendalls_cave

Thank you for all your useful comments. I have a section 117 (after care) meeting on Monday..

I think they are going to formally apply for a CTO then.

I have my own flat just now, but they want me to move into supported accommodation. I am OK with that, but have two dogs I want to go with me. They say there are placements which take pets.. does anyone know of any? Thanks .