The assessment process clearly requires effective organisation or 'stage management'. ASWs have much experience of this role and it will not be adopted easily by other professionals. Serious consideration should be given to how the 'social worker' role can be safeguarded in decision-making. This will ensure that social considerations, for example issues relating to disruption of the person's lifestyle and identity, are given due weight. Consideration should be given to how such a process of disempowerment can be reversed.
Sectioned individuals are by definition forced to enter acute psychiatric wards.
This adds a human rights dimension to the imperative to provide them with good quality care. Consideration should be given to how the quality of acute in-patient care might be improved. Publications A number of papers, based on study findings, are planned for publication in peer reviewed journals. Consideration will be given to whether the final report to the Department of Health might be published as a short book. This would provide a comprehensive overview of the study and its findings, and has the potential to be used on future training courses for mental health professionals.