Author: Iva Cheung

Poor form completion rates

In the recently released report, Committed to Change, the BC Office of the Ombudsperson detailed disturbing findings that involuntary patients aren’t consistently told about their rights under the Mental Health Act. Further, family care partners aren’t always told that their loved ones have been detained. These stories are appalling, but will enforcing better record keeping prevent these scenarios from happening?

According to the Mental Health Act, when a person is admitted as an involuntary patient under a medical certificate (Form 4):

• They’re supposed to learn their rights by being read and given Form 13.
• They’re supposed to nominate a near relative to notify about their hospitalization, using Form 15.
• Their care team is supposed to send Form 16 to that near relative. Form 16 tells the near relative that the person (a) has been detained and (b) has rights under the Mental Health Act. This form is supposed to be sent or given to the near relative immediately after the person has been admitted.

The BC Office of the Ombudsperson found:

• Form 13 in only 49% of patient files,
• Form 15 in only 43% of patient files, and
• Form 16 in only 32% of patient files.

In response to these poor compliance rates, the Office of the Ombudsperson issued this recommendation:

Recommendation 9: By June 30, 2019, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions work together with the health authorities to establish clear and consistent provincial standards aimed at achieving 100 percent compliance with the involuntary admissions procedures under the Mental Health Act through the timely and appropriate completion of all required forms.

In other words, these three forms should appear in 100% of patient files. But will mandating 100% compliance solve the problem of patients and family care partners not knowing patients’ rights?

I don’t believe they will. Continue reading “Will forcing health authorities to complete all Mental Health Act forms help patients better understand their rights?”