Sangeetha Sankarnarayanan and Akila Jayasekera report on a study that explored how well supported and prepared nurses feel in carrying out this newly acquired responsibility

Aim To assess whether legislative changes have led to improved training and changed workload to support nurses in their new role at tribunals.

Method A questionnaire was used to survey inpatient registered mental health nurses in a district general hospital. Responses were analysed descriptively.

Results Most respondents had not received any training specific to mental health review tribunals, did not get protected time to write reports, regularly gave evidence for clients for whom they were not the named nurse and thought that their training for this role was inadequate.

Conclusions Nurse training in tribunal work, protected time for writing reports and sufficient notice to prepare are needed. Good supervision and forums, such as Balint groups, can offer emotional support to nurses who can find this role stressful.