Sectioning Under Mental Health Act

[Barquentine]

My mother-in-law has been suffering from hallucinations. Without a diagnosis of the specific cause the psychiatrist prescribed anti-psychotics. MiL's hallucinations and paranoia got worse.
The medical team response was to increase the dose each time (3 occasions I believe).
Her condition did not improve. She has been admitted to a local mental health hospital.
Very little information or explanation has been given to my wife throughout. We have had to rely on searching Google to find anything out.
A friend today asked me, when I told her my MiL has been found a bed at a mental hospital, whether my MiL has been "sectioned".
No doctor/psychiatrist or medical health professional has at any time made any reference to "sectioning".
I therefore Googled it to find out what it was and found a very helpful page on Mind's website.
My question is, therefore, does admittance to a mental health hospital always involve use of one of the sections of the Mental Health Act?
Or - because my MiL was keen to receive further analysis and treatment, has she been admitted on a fully voluntary basis - with no element of compulsion or 'detention'?
She has been saying she wants to come back home (the voices follow her wherever she goes), but we have been reassuring her and persuading her that she is perfectly safe at the hospital. She seems to be settling in better there now, but we have been told nothing whatsoever about how long she is expected to stay there nor anything about any 'sectioning' as such.

I have therefore reassured my wife that her mother has not been sectioned in the sense of compulsory detention under MHA, but would be very grateful for anyone's confirmation that I am correct.

[Buenchico]

My mother's sister spent much of her adult lifetime going in and out of 'mental hospitals' (as they were called in those days). Indeed, she met her future husband in one one. At no time was she 'sectioned' though; she was always a voluntary patient.

[Tilly2]

When my dad was sectioned, I received a letter telling me the exact details.
Have you spoken to the team at the mental health hospital?

[nailit]

//My question is, therefore, does admittance to a mental health hospital always involve use of one of the sections of the Mental Health Act? //

No!
I have been both a voluntary patient and a sectioned patient at hospital.

[Peter Pedant]

you are correct
very very unlikely
the hoops are so complex that no one attempts this

I am astounded there was a bed for her.

[chelle7272]

The majority if the time care under the mental health act is voluntary. People are only usually detained, or sectioned, if they are considered a risk to the safety of themselves or others. When mother and my friend were detained, the next of kin was informed. The mental health team staff should be able to answer your questions?

[Peter Pedant]

The heavy accent is on Care in the Community which is of course is: Lack of care in the community

[Historically - about a hundred years ago the only way in was to be sectioned ( 1927 Lunacy Act I think)- so to admit Virginia Woolf , Geoffrey Keynes ( brother of Maynard, the economist) did the honours]

[Raidergal2022]

People can be admitted for inpatient psychiatric care either informally (voluntary) or on a section (this is usually a section 2 -for assessment over 28 days)

Usually the hospital will contact the next of kin (closest relative) and inform them of any decisions/updates.

Sounds a bit obvious but have you contacted the hospital?

[Barquentine]

Thank you, everyone. We asked them and they confirmed she is a voluntary patient. If we and she wants her to come home they said they would assess if she is a risk to herself. They are doing an amazing job. She has improved markedly from when she went in. We had a video call with them and the doctor explained what they think is happening in her brain and the different steps they are taking to try to rebalance her neurotransmitters, although there may be some ongoing physical deterioration ('generalised atrophy') which they cannot currently repair. They think maybe another two weeks and she might be okay to come home. Yes, Peter P, I too was amazed they found her a place and we want her out again just as soon as possible to make room for someone else, but my wife (& I) agree she is in the best place for her for now. Thanks again everyone.