The document is a patient information leaflet that summarizes what it means to be placed under Section 3 of the Mental Health Act 1983. It explains that the patient has been detained in a mental health hospital based on the assessment of two doctors and an approved mental health practitioner that they are experiencing mental illness and require treatment. It notes the patient can be kept in hospital for up to 6 months under this section and may receive treatment including medication, with the goal of helping them recover sufficiently to be discharged.

1. 1
Patient Information Leaflet
Section 3 Mental Health Act 1983

2. 2
Your name
……………………………………
Your hospital doctor’s name is
………………………………………
They are a psychiatrist, which
means they are a doctor who
looks after people’s mental health.
Sometimes they are known as
your responsible clinician or RC.
You have come to a mental
health hospital called
…………………………….
You are on……………….. Ward
Phone number…………………

3. 3
You have been put on a
Section 3 of the Mental
Health Act.
Date your Section started
……………………………
This leaflet is to help you
understand what this means.
A qualified member of staff
should read through this leaflet
with you.
They will be able to answer any
of your questions.

4. 4
Two doctors say that you are
unwell and need treatment,
because
…………………………………
Why am I in hospital?
An approved mental health
practitioner also called an AMHP
has agreed with the doctors.
These people are usually social
workers, but not always.
Even if you feel the section is
wrong, for now it will continue.

5. 5
The ward staff will support
you and offer you treatment
will try to get better.
You can be kept in hospital
because you are on Section 3
of the Mental Health Act
1983.
The Mental Health Act 1983
is a law.

6. 6
You can be kept in hospital for
up to 6 months.
If need to stay for longer your
section might be renewed.
If you are better before 6
months your doctor could take
you off your section.
This means you could go
home.
If you want to leave the
hospital for a short time, talk
to your doctor.
They need to decide if it is
safe.
How long will I be in hospital?

7. 7
If the doctor agrees, they will
say where you can go and what
time you have to come back.
This is called Section 17 leave.
If you try to leave before the
doctor says it is ok, you will
be stopped.
If you leave hospital before
the doctor says it is ok, you
will be brought back.

8. 8
The doctors and nurses will offer
you treatment to help with
……………………………….
You may have to take tablets or
medicine.
What help will I get in hospital?
These are some of the people who can
help you to get better:
 Doctors
 Nurses
 Occupational Therapists - OT
 Speech and language therapists - SLT
 Healthcare support workers - HSW
 Psychologists

9. 9
You will get support to
……………………………….
……………………………….
You have a RIGHT to an independent
mental health advocate sometimes
called an IMHA.
 They can help you understand your
rights and treatment options.
 They can help get support and
legal representation.
 They do not work for the hospital
and will speak up on your behalf.
 The service is free and confidential.
If you would like an advocate, speak
to the staff, who can give you more
information.

10. 10
What happens next?
If you don’t agree with your
Section 3 you can appeal.
There is another leaflet
explaining how you can do this.
Your case will be discussed at
weekly meeting called a ward
round.
Visiting time on the ward are
………………………………

11. 11
There will be a bigger meeting
every month called a review.
Everyone involved with your care
and treatment should be invited to
your review.
Both of these meetings are a good
time to talk about your:
 Leave
 Medication
 Problems
 Feelings
You can be kept in hospital for up to
6 months.
This can be renewed for another 6
months and then yearly if needed.
The doctor will decide if you need to
stay for longer than 6 months.
This will be done in a review before
the 6 months is up.

12. 12
Letting your nearest relative know
A leaflet explaining this information will be given to your
nearest relative.
We understand your nearest relative is
………………………………………………..
If you don’t want them to have this information please tell
the person in charge of the ward.
Community Learning Disability Teams
If you have support the community learning disability
team they will stay involved. Your care co-ordinator is
……………………………………………...
They will visit, come to your meetings and help with your
discharge planning. If you do not have support from
anyone in the community teams, you or a member of
staff could ring:
Conwy CLDT: (01492) 575374
Denbigh CLDT: (01824) 712400
Flintshire CLDT: (01352) 701081
North Gwynedd CLDT: (01286) 682751
South Gwynedd CLDT: (01758) 704145
Ynys Môn CLDT: (01248) 752065
Wrexham CLDT: (01978) 298484
Mental Health Liaison: 07919302312