First-tier Tribunal (Mental Health) hearings: protecting the therapeutic relationship

The First-tier Tribunal (Mental Health) is an independent judicial body that hears applications from people who have had their freedom restricted under the Mental Health Act 1983 (amended 2007). Mental health nurses may be required to provide its panel with written and/or oral evidence. It can be challenging for nurses to protect the therapeutic relationship with the patient while fulfilling their duty to provide evidence to the panel. This article gives an overview of the legal process and details the evidence nurses may be required to provide. The article also discusses ways in which nurses can support patients throughout the process and attempt to protect the therapeutic relationship.