Gibbs Reflective Cycle:
Reflection on personal experience in mental health assessment ward
Description
While working on a mental health assessment ward, I was asked to review the case of Ms. X, a patient sectioned under the Mental Health Act (Section 2) because of her worsening dementia. Until she was sectioned Ms. X had been cared for at home by her adult children and through weekly visits from a nurse, but because of her increasing difficulties in engaging in effective self-care, her children felt it necessary to seek professional redress.
Feelings
I felt very sad to see a formerly competent woman having to sacrifice her independence in her later years. I felt sympathetic towards the plight of her children. They had become increasingly concerned about leaving their mother...
They were unable to provide the necessary 24-7 care Ms. X needed. She required monitoring to prevent injury, to ensure that she received the correct medications and treatments, and also to engage in the actions of basic self-care like dressing, washing, and going to the toilet.
Evaluation
In terms of the positive aspects of the experience, I was happy to see that Ms. X was able to get the care she required. I was happy to see that the system 'worked' in the sense that the spirit of the law was being carried out. Section 2 is designed to 'protect people from themselves' when they are no longer capable of judging their competency. Ms. X had been formerly able to function independently at home but with the passage…
