On this page you will find some of the questions most commonly posed to our Information Officer, with his replies. The most frequently posed question of all is: What exactly is schizophrenia? You can browse the questions or access them through this list of keywords, which are repeated at the side of each question and answer. A duplicate keyword in the list means that the topic appears in more than one question and answer:
		access to records advocacy benefits carer assessment community care assessment complaints confidentiality consent (section) consent (treatment) consent (treatment) medication schizophrenia - a definition second opinion second opinion section (consent) section (meaning) section (opposing) section (review) section (in hospital) treament (consent to) treament (consent to)
	Frequently asked questions
	community care assessment	What is a community care assessment? A social worker will visit and assess what care is needed and which services are necessary to enable a person to stay at home.
	carer assessment	Can I as a carer get an assessment of my needs? Yes, if caring on a regular basis, when your relative or friend is being assessed.
	section	What is a section? This is a term used where a Section of the Mental Health(Scotland) Act 1984 is used for compulsory detention of a person in hospital. There are three categories: a 72 hour order (under Section 24 of the Act), a 28 days order (under Section 26 of the Act), and a six months order (under Section 18 of the Act).
	consent section	Do I, as the nearest relative, need to consent to an application for compulsory detention under a section of the Mental Health(Scotland) Act? No. Even if you agree that this is needed, you can refuse consent. The doctor should ask a Mental Health Officer from the local authority Social Work Department to agree to the section.
	section	Can I, as a relative, oppose a section? Yes. The doctor will then seek the consent of a Mental Health Officer who must agree, otherwise the person cannot be detained.
	section	Can the nearest relative ask for a review of the section? Yes. This involves writing to the hospital saying you want the patient discharged. The doctor must see the patient and put in writing that he or she still needs to be detained, if not the patient can be discharged.
	section	I am on a section. Will I have to stay in hospital all the time? Not necessarily. In some circumstances, a pass can be given for short periods, or 'leave of absence' to live outside the hospital during the detention period.
	advocacy	Can a patient appoint someone to speak up for them? Yes. A 'patient's supporter' can be appointed who can attend planning meetings and consultations. This can be a relative or friend. Some hospitals have an independent advocacy service.
	consent second opinion treatment	Can I refuse drug treatment? Yes, after 3 months of compulsory treatment. However, a second opinion may be sought by the doctor from another doctor, and the treatment will continue if this doctor agrees that it is needed.
	consent treatment	Can a patient be treated without his/her consent? Yes, if detained on the 28 day or 6 month sections, but only in an emergency for voluntary patients or those detained for 72 hours.
	medication	Various medications have been mentioned. Can I get more information about these? Yes. Factual information is available from various sources, including NSF(Scotland).
	complaints	How do I complain? There are many ways of doing this and information about the different routes and sources of help can be provided by NSF(S).
	access to records confidentiality	Can I see my medical notes? Yes, or you can appoint someone else to see them. This applies to written and computer records dated after November 1991. Some of the notes can be withheld if it is believed that serious harm could possibly be caused to the patient's health if he/she saw them. Information does not have to be passed on to you if the other person could be identified in your notes, unless this is a health professional involved in your care.
	schizophrenia - definition	What exactly is schizophrenia? It's a mental illness affecting around one person in 100. The first symptoms often develop in early adulthood, but may remain undiagnosed. For some, the illness starts suddenly. Thoughts may become muddled and the sufferer may experience hallucinations. For others, it develops gradually and the person may show signs of withdrawal or self neglect. Symptoms include: hallucinations delusions emotional blunting apathy speech difficulties thought disorders and strange behaviour For more information, see our Carers Information Pack and our page on treatment.
	second opinion	Am I entitled to a second opinion on daignosis or treatment? No. This can be requested of the consultant or G.P. but it is not a legal right.
	benefits	I have heard that benefits are to be changed. Will this affect me? We cannot say on an individual basis, but NSF(S) can provide general information on proposals for change.