A “very vulnerable” young woman who is not mentally ill but has complex disorders and chaotic behaviour must remain detained in an acute psychiatric unit for the time being, the president of the High Court has ordered. Involuntary detentionThe woman does not meet the criteria for involuntary detention under the Mental Health Act but equally he could not have a vulnerable ward of court exhibiting such distress that leaves her so vulnerable, he said. He had “no choice” but to order her continued detention for the time being in the psychiatric unit. Earlier, the judge was told two psychiatric reports concerning the woman’s current placement noted her behaviour towards staff and other patients means she sometimes requires sedation to be managed safely in the unit. The HSE wants the woman to remain detained where she is while it explores whether to return her to the other psychiatric unit, he said.

Source: The Irish Times February 05, 2019 12:45 UTC