NURSING AND EDUCATION PLATFORM

This book was published by Fivepin a publisher which no longer exists It is an original approach that discusses rationales given by nurses and carers and explores the appropriate action to take.As far as possible it is supported by references eg court case re hot water bottle bursting (p67). Regulations at the time are referred to. The Mental capacity Act is mentioned (p16) .There are also other regulations which now exist.Whilst the book does not address fully, issues of mental health it does refer to the Mental health Act to indicate the differences in legislation. It was never intended to refer to issues concerning mental health patients as this is  a separate issue, beyond the scope of the book.Recall the intention of the author was to analyse the proposal made by herself, that some decisions in nursing are made with good intentions but the incorrect action is taken. This has stimulated further research. It was not the aim to prescribe action; it is impossible to do this for every individual situation. It was the aim to analyse possible actions , linking it to any regulations or cases that did exist at the time. Any original or reletively new idea, must some element of thought. The aim of writing anything, or indeed academia, did not ought to be the regurgitation of all references and what others have said before.

There are  3 misleading points in this book. p23 does not intend to imply that ANY nurse may apply the Mental Health Act. Only specially trained RMNs in certain circumstances, may do so.

Sections of the Mental Health Act apply , other than section 2

P39 and 41 are incorrect. Section 2 does not apply to treatment, other sections apply.

Despite the negative review on Amazon, which the author is not allowed to respond to, the book is still of immense value.The publisher did agree to put this ammendment in but failed to do so.The author does intend to update the book anyway. As all authors know, publishing is not easy, especially as an independent author without the backing of an institiution.Although, support was requested. It indeed, took 10 years to find a publisher for this work which was then updated by referring to the Mental Capacity Act for example. Many stated not enough books would be sold as it refers to nursing homes. Experts and agencies did check the content especially regarding possible actions to take. Yet the book remains of immense value, especially regarding the reports of poor care that have finally been allowed to be published today. It offers an alternative perspective- decisions making. It does analyse the dilemmas regarding residents who are not mentally ill - or lack mental capacity. This is the aim of this book; individuals who are not mentally ill- still reserve the right to refuse treatment or require an alteration to that which is provided. Individuals often, do not realise that this may be the case.Nor is there documented evidence until now, of the occurence of such issues along with a historical analysis.For this reason, this book should not be ignored but should be used to launch further research and promote thinking amongst staff, which  the book has actually achieved. 

Whilst individuals to have a right to opinions, authors too have  a right to reply.