Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust is seeking to appoint suitable people to the role of Associate Hospital Managers (AHMs). AHMs are volunteers who work in accordance with the guidance outlined in the Mental Health Act 1983 (the Act) and review patients' compulsory detention and Community Treatment Orders under the Act testing evidence against statutory criteria.
Detention of mentally ill people against their wishes is a measure of last resort when they have become too disordered to recognise their own condition and could deteriorate without treatment, becoming a risk to themselves or to others. However, depriving a citizen of their liberty is a serious step that must be taken with care and is subject to stringent review.
AHM reviews take place either at face to face hearings where the patient's doctor, care coordinator and nurse give evidence to a panel of three AHMs and answer questions from the patient and their legal representative - or on paper (remote reviews held on MS Teams). Having gathered all the evidence, the AHMs must decide whether to discharge the patient.
The Trust offers a comprehensive induction package to all new AHMs and various training opportunities throughout the year.
The role is as and when required, Associate Hospital Managers can apply when they are available for a review, a sessional £50 fee is paid for every review undertaken.
Main duties of the job
* To hear patients' appeals against detention when requested by the patient.
* To review the detention of patients within the timeframe appropriate to the particular section.
* To consider Renewal of Authority notices.
* To attend Associate Hospital Managers Committee meetings and other meetings as required.
* To attend training sessions as deemed appropriate to the role.
About us
We are the Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust. We care for the mental health and wellbeing of people across Kent and Medway. Our teams support adults with a wide range of mental health needs. Because we cover the whole county and both hospital and community settings, we can make care more joined up and easier to access for the 1.8 million people of Kent and Medway. Rated 'Good' by the CQC, we care for over 2,000 people in our hospitals and 54,000 in the community each year.
Our vision is simple: We are here to help communities not just live with mental illness, but live well. It's why we're passionate about working with communities to make mental health care better for everyone. And everything we do is guided by our values caring, inclusive, curious and confident.
Join us - if you share our passion for better mental health care and want to be part of a team that's doing well together.
Job responsibilities
The Mental Health Act 1983 sets out procedures under which a detained patient may make an appeal against their detention heard by a panel (of three) of managers (a term enshrined in the Act). Written evidence is taken from appropriate doctors, nurses and social workers; oral evidence is taken from these professionals, from the patient and from others as appropriate. The Trust presents its case for continuing detention under the Section of the Act. The patient may have support of a legal representative and an Independent Mental Health Advocate or carer. The panel, having heard all the evidence, decides whether to support the detention or to discharge the patient from liability to be detained.
Please see attached Job Description for further details.
Person Specification
Skills, Experience and Knowledge
* Must be aware of confidentiality requirements and needs
* Empathetic to people suffering from mental health
* Ability to listen and communicate effectively with a wide variety of people.
* Ability to weigh up evidence and take a decisive view and to make difficult decisions
* Some exposure to mental health would be desirable but not essential
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
£50 a sessionMileage to be paid as appropriate if travelling to sites
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