what kind of unit is this?

Silverdragon102, BSN · May 24, 2005

what is a forensic unit in the uk? is that mental health?
And what does this stand for AMAU/

AMAU usually is medical admission unit. In the UK medical and surgery are 2 very seperate specialties and generally have their own wards. To help with government waiting times and to help patients on general wards supposedly get some rest, MAU's developed so that all medical admissions regardless of source was addmited onto this ward, assessment done by both nurse and doctor, any relavant first line tests performed and depending on diagnosis would be either admitted or discharged within 24 hours. Some MAU wards now include short stay beds so if you need to be in max 48 hours you would stay on the ward and be discharged from there.

Hope this helps a bit

Frankcah · May 28, 2005

A forensic unit is a unit that deals with people who have committed a crime of some description and instead of recieving a custodial sentence, they are sent to a hospital or other secure setting to recieve treatment, usually under a section of the mental health act.

There are very few (if any) units that would call themselves forensic units outright. Rather units would regard themselves as secure units that manage forensic patients. This means that they are not restricting themselves to patients that have had some dealings with the judiciary system.

There are basically three levels of security: High Security (Special Hospitals), of which there are three in England; Medium and low security (of which there are many). There are no set stipulations which determine what is medium and what is low, rather what a unit decides to regard themselves according to the security they offer.

These units are mainly for mental health and learning disability patients, but watch out for the new mental health act bill which is trying to be passed at the present, which will try to detain people with personality disorders based on their potential risk...

Hope this helps

karenG · May 28, 2005

I work in a high (seems to me! but it probably medium) security forensic unit! the GP practice I work for provides general health health services to the population of the unit. Its a step down unit from Rampton and Broadmoor (2 high security units) and the patients are a mix. there is a womans unit. I have no idea what any of the patients have done to get locked away - and not sure i want to know!!

its a spooky place to work at first... but I've got used to being locked in rooms! To get into the building, I have to first get into the grounds, then get into the main building- through 3 locked doors (surrender my phone etc) then I get taken to the treatment area- more locked doors!! I see all patients with an escort. most seem ok if a little scary at times!

Karen