Clinical
Mental health care: expanding nursing roles
<p>It is estimated that about 2,500 individuals are admitted to mental health facilities annually from a typical district health authority population (1). The method of patient admission varies; some GP referrals come through A&E, others with enduring mental health problems use the accident and emergency department as a crisis service, and, as the 1983 Mental Health Act (2) designates A&E as a place of safety, some individuals are brought to A&E by the police for assessment.</p>
