People have the right to be free. In the Netherlands there are many laws and regulations to guarantee this basic human right. Only in very special cases may a person be involuntarily admitted to a psychiatric hospital. The most important law in this situation is the Compulsory Mental Healthcare Act (= Wet verplichte ggz = Wvggz).
Laws are always very complicated. Therefore, the Ministry of Health has made two leaflets to explain the intentions of the Compulsory Mental Healthcare Act (Wvggz).
One about the “Crisis Measure” and one about the “Care Authorization”.
These leaflets are now translated in English and in 6 other languages: Arabic (عربي), German (Deutsh), Farsi ( فارسی), Polish (Polski), Spanish (Español), Turkisch (Türk).
Link to leaflets in English.
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Below we have translated some Dutch terms about compulsory care in simple English.
NL => English
Activiteitentherapeut = Activities therapist
Advocaat = Lawyer
Ambulante hulpverlening = Ambulatory care
Behandelplan = Treatment plan
Bemoeizorg = A care intervention without the clear consent of the person,
i.e. “meddling” care or “nosy” care.
Bewindvoerder = Administrator
Cliënt = Patient in care of a mental health care practitioner
Cliëntenraad = Client board or consumers’ council
Comfortroom = Special care unit
Crisisdienst = Emergency service
Crisis maatregel = Crisis measure
Curator = Curator
Drang = Pressure
Dwang = Coercion / compulsion
Dwangbehandeling = Forced treatment
Fouilleren = Body search
Gedwongen opname = Forced admission / involuntary admission
Geneeskundige verklaring = Medical certificate
Gevaar = Danger
Goede zorg = Good care
Huisregels = House rules
Inspectie Gezondheidszorg en Jeugd (IGJ) = Health Care Inspectorate
Inwendig onderzoek = Internal examination
Klacht = Complaint
Klachtencommissie = Complaints committee
Medisch Beroepsgeheim = Medical professional secrecy / patient
confidentiality
Middelen en maatregelen = Means and measures
Officier van justitie = Prosecutor
Ondersteuningsplan = Support plan
Patiëntenvertrouwenspersoon (PVP) = Patient counselor / patient’s confidant
Rechter = Judge
Second opinion = Second opinion
Separatie = Seclusion
Signaleringsplan = Alert plan
Special care unit = Special care unit
Vertegenwoordiger = Representative
Voorwaardelijke machtiging = Conditional authorisation
Vrijheden = Freedoms
Vrijheidsbeperking = Restriction of freedom
Wet Verplichte GGZ = Compulsory Mental Healthcare Act
Wilsonbekwaam = Mentally incompetent
Zelfbindingsmachtiging = Self-binding authorization
Zorgmachtiging = Care authorisation (court authorization / judicial authorization)
Zorgplan = Care plan
Zorgteam = Care team
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Below some explanation of these terms
Note: these translations are not legally binding
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Activiteitentherapeut = Activities therapist
An activities therapist provides the client with meaningful activities during his stay in the hospital. This therapist also helps the client to find hobbies that the client can continue after he has been discharged from the hospital.
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Advocaat = Lawyer
A lawyer is someone who knows the law and who knows what rights a client has. In court, the lawyer represents the interests of his client. A lawyer gives legal advice and represents the client during sessions in court. The lawyer will first discuss the case with his client in private. He explains the court procedure to the client and listens to the client. He wants to know what the client wants, so that he can defend his/her interests at the court hearing. The lawyer also keeps an eye on whether the legal process runs in the correct way. A lawyer is there for his client. The client must be able to trust the lawyer so that the client can tell him everything that is important for the case. Therefore, a lawyer has professional confidentiality: he must deal carefully with the information he receives. In court a lawyer must represent the interests of his client. He can only tell the court things with the client’s consent. The lawyer, however, is responsible for the handling of the case. He does not have to do exactly what the client wants, if he thinks that this will not be good for the client’s case. The lawyer is therefore “the boss” during the court hearing.
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Ambulante hulpverlening = Ambulatory care
Ambulatory care is treatment by appointment. The client has a regular appointment with a medical practitioner, for example, every week or two times a week. The client lives and sleeps at home.
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Behandelplan = Treatment plan
A treatment plan is a document that contains the agreements a client has made with his practitioner about his treatment.
First, the practitioner makes a diagnosis. The practitioner then tells the client what the diagnosis is, which treatment he proposes and why he proposes this treatment. The practitioner should also inform the client about alternative treatments. On the basis of this information, the client selects a treatment – this is called: informed consent. The practitioner then writes in the treatment plan which treatments the client and the practitioner have agreed upon. The client must get a copy of the treatment plan.
In case of a compulsory admission, the practitioner also writes in the treatment plan which methods of compulsory treatment could be applied if compulsory treatment is necessary.
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Bemoeizorg = Intervention without the clear consent of the person, “meddling” care or “nosy” care
Sometimes a person is clearly in need of care, but he is reluctant to accept it. “Bemoeizorg” means that a practitioner will reach out to this person and will actively try to persuade him to accept care. To achieve this, the practitioner uses milder forms of pressure, such as strongly advising and persuading. The practitioner will visit the person at home, and will stay in touch, even if the person indicates that he is fine and does not need care.
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Bewindvoerder = Administrator
An administrator controls the finances for someone who can not do this himself. Sometimes a client can no longer take care of his financial affairs. The court may then decide that someone else should make the decisions about the money and the goods of the client. The judge then appoints an administrator. The client may then no longer decide what to do with his money. The administrator is responsible for the financial and practical sides of the goods and money of the client. The administrator may fill in a tax return, and can also apply for (special) assistance, housing allowance or a personal budget (PGB). The administrator can be responsible for the entire property of the client, or a portion thereof.
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Cliënt = Patient in care of a mental health care practitioner
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Cliëntenraad = Client board or consumers’ council
The client board of a mental health care institution is made up of (ex)clients/consumers of that institution. They stand up for the interests of all users of the care given by that institution, both in-patients (residents) and out-patients. Members of the client board regularly talk to residents and other clients/consumers and ask them if they are satisfied with the care and the services provided by the institution. They also check whether there are complaints or problems and try to solve them. The client board has a say in the policy of the institution.
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Comfortroom = Special care unit
A special care unit is a room where a client can go to to unwind in order to prevent a build up of stress which can lead to a crisis. The room is separated from the common rooms of the ward and has some (soft) furniture in friendly colours. The nurses may not lock the door of this room. The client can leave the room if he wants. Another name for a special care unit is comfort room. Not all institutions have a special care unit / comfort room.
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Crisisdienst = Emergency service
People with severe, acute mental health problems can get help from the emergency service of a mental health centre. The emergency service can be contacted by GPs and by the police, seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
The “crisisdienst” consists of a team of psychiatrists, psychologists and psychiatric nurses who come to the home of a patient in a crisis to assess the situation. Usually the family is also heard by the emergency service. Often the team can help the patient at home, by talking or providing medication. If the team thinks that longer-term psychiatric treatment is necessary, the client will be admitted to a psychiatric hospital. When the crisis is over, the client returns home, often with an appointment for follow up treatment.
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Crisis maatregel = Crisis measure / crisis detention
A “crisis maatregel” is an emergency measure for compulsory admission to a care facility.
A crisis maatregel is only possible in an emergency situation: when people think that a person is dangerous to himself or to others. This danger should be caused by “a disorder of mental faculties”, as the law defines it. The crisis measure is an emergency measure. The danger must be so imminent that there is no time to wait for a court authorization (zorgmaatregel). The mayor decides whether a person gets a crisis measure. In order to do so, he reads the medical certificate a medical doctor has issued about the client. If the mayor decides that compulsory admission is necessary, the client is admitted within 24 hours to a psychiatric hospital. Subsequently, the court decides whether the client should remain for a longer period in this hospital.
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Curator = Curator
A curator (guardian) is the legal representative of someone who is placed under guardianship (legal restraint). The curator acts for the client and looks after the financial and other interests of the client. The position of a curator is very similar to that of parents or of a guardian. A curator is appointed by the court. He can be a relative of the client, but he can also be an outsider.
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Drang = Pressure
Sometimes a client is put under great pressure to make a certain choice. In reality he still has freedom of choice, but the alternative choices are presented as unattractive as possible. The client therefore often thinks that he only has this one choice.
If the client is really forced to make that choice, it is no longer “pressure”, but “coercion” (=dwang).
Drang is not regulated by law. Examples of pressure include:
- Nurses tell a person with intellectual disabilities that he will only get his meal if he takes his medication.
- A doctor tells a client that treatment is useless if he does not stop smoking.
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Dwang = Coercion / compulsion / force
In case of coercion, the client has to do something that he does not want to do, or he is not allowed to do what he wants to do. He has no choice, another person determines what happens.
Coercion in health care can be a traumatic experience, and therefore there are strict rules for its application. Practitioners should only use coercion if there is really no other option. The reasons for the use of coercion in health care are the safety of the society and the health and safety of the client.
The use of coercion is usually reported to the Inspectorate for Health Care and the situations in which coercive measures may be used are laid down in law.
Examples of coercion include:
- A person with a mental illness gets his medication administered against his will
- An elderly person with dementia may not leave the nursing ward
- In a hospital a person with intellectual disabilities is tied to the bed to prevent him from falling.
Pressure: A client may also be put under pressure to make a choice. This is called pressure, it is not coercion; the client still has a choice, although he might not realise it.
Informal coercion: In practice, it sometimes happens that force is applied outside of legal frameworks. This is called informal coercion. Informal coercion is not allowed and it should not occur.
Examples of informal coercion (mind: these types of coercion are forbidden)
- In his own home an elderly person with dementia is tied to a chair.
- A person with an intellectual disability is locked up in his own home to avoid him wandering alone on the streets.
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Dwangbehandeling = Forced treatment
Forced treatment means that a client is treated without his consent.
Forced treatment is a very radical instrument. A practitioner should therefore always try to prevent it from happening and he should try very hard to get the consent of the client. Forced treatment may only be applied in exceptional situations.
The forced treatment should have a ’therapeutic effect’: it should stop the danger the client is posing to himself or his surroundings or make it that the client can be discharged at an earlier stage. Forced treatment should last no longer than necessary. A doctor will determine how long that is.
The law does not state what treatments a doctor can give as forced treatment. However, the treatment that is used should be mentioned in the treatment plan of the client.
A practitioner must always give the client good information about his treatment, and allow the client to participate as much as possible in the discussions about his treatment and the decisions that are made. This also applies to forced treatment.
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Fouilleren = Body search
A search means that somebody will check if the client has an object in or under his clothing. She feels for example in the pockets or under the jumper of a client. In legal terms this is called a “onderzoek aan de kleding” (search on clothes)
In addition there is a “onderzoek aan het lichaam” (body search). For example: someone will check whether the client has something in his mouth, in his ears or in his nose . In women they can check if anything is hidden in the bra.
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Gedwongen opname = Forced admission / involuntary admission
Forced admission means that a client is hospitalized against his will in a psychiatric institution.
For a forced admission a detention order (ibs) or a (temporary) court authorization (rm) is required. For as long as the forced admission lasts, the patient may only leave the institution if he gets permission from his psychiatrist to do so.
The reason for forced admission is “danger”. This “danger” may be caused by a mental illness, by mental retardation or dementia. The danger may be acute (the person threatens to harm himself or others), or it may be clear that the client can not survive on his own outside of an institution.
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Geneeskundige verklaring = Medical certificate
In a medical certificate a psychiatrist describes the medical situation of a client.
The medical certificate is used to assess whether a client should be admitted against his will. The psychiatrist first has to assess the client for this. The psychiatrist must answer the following questions:
- Is there any danger?
- Is this danger caused by a psychiatric disorder?
- Is an admission to a hospital the only way to stop the threat?
When the psychiatrist answers all three questions with ‘yes’ and he notices that the client does not want to be admitted of his free will, he draws up the certificate.
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Gevaar = Danger
Danger here means that the client puts himself or others in a life threathening situation or otherwise causes serious damage. One can only speak of danger if there is an untenable situation.
Examples of danger in psychiatry:
- A client threatens to commit suicide or seriously injure themselves.
- A client neglects himself seriously.
- Because of his way of life a client has major problems with, for instance, a neighbour, work, friends, family etc.
- A client is aggressive against others.
- A client threatens to (seriously) injure someone else.
- A client caused so much trouble that other people are psychologically affected.
- A client neglects someone who is in his care, for example his child.
Danger in case of dementia or mental disability
For people with memory problems or learning disabilities danger can mean that they cannot properly take care for themselves, so that admission to a care facility is required.
Danger caused by a disorder
By law, there has to be a relationship between the danger caused and a “disorder of the mental faculties”. These include psychiatric disorders, memory problems (dementia) and cognitive impairments. The disorder must be the cause of the danger.
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Goede zorg = Good care
Good care is care with the needs and wishes of the client in mind. Good care means that the client can choose and decide for himself, as much as possible; even if he is dependent on care and support of others. Good care is respectful care and includes good communication with the client. In that way a client keeps as much control over his own life as possible. Good care also means that the client is as little as possible restricted in his freedom and that coercion is prevented as much as possible.
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Huisregels = House rules
House rules of an institution are agreements that everyone in the institution has to comply to. These agreements apply to everyone, so to clients, visitors and professionals. They are made to make living together in the institution as comfortable as possible.
House rules may not dictate more than necessary. They should be about living in the institution, not about the treatment. Sometimes departments also have their own department rules. The house rules state for example: · The visiting hours · At what time it must be calm on the ward · Where clients can smoke
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Inspectie Gezondheidszorg en Jeugd = Health Care Inspectorate
The Health Care Inspectorate (IGJ) monitors the quality of care in the Netherlands. The inspectorate advises, encourages and compels providers to deliver appropriate care. The Inspectorate examines and judges impartially and independently. As a patient, client or someone directly involved, you can report to the Inspectorate cases of serious injury or death in connection with care. The Inspectorate visits the care facilities to determine whether they provide good care. During such visits, the inspector examines all sorts of things, including how the institution monitors the quality of care. The Inspectorate also tests a number of reports of coercion in treatment settings. The Inspectorate does file research. An inspector speaks with the practitioner, the medical director and, if possible with the patient.
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Inwendig onderzoek = Internal examination
Internal examination means that someone feels inside the body of someone else if there is a dangerous object. Internal examination can be done, for example, anal or vaginal. Professionals use an internal examination to try to find objects that someone can use to injure themselves or others, such as a knife or a lighter. It can also involve drugs. A person may only be examined internally if he agrees with the procedure. Is the person does not want it, then it may not be done. Only a doctor may examine someone internally.
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Klacht = Complaint
By complaining the client signals that he is unhappy about something. For example, he feels that he is being mistreated. When a client has a complaint about the care in an institution he can do one (or all) of the following:
- Discuss the problem with the person about whom the client has a complaint.
- Report the complaint to the complaints committee of the institution.
- Report the complaint to the Health Care Inspectorate, the Disciplinary Board of Health or to court.
The patient’s confidant (PVP) can help people to file a complaint. He is independent of the institution and helps only clients. Clients can file a complaint, but also a family member or another person directly involved can do that on behalf of the client.
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Klachtencommissie = Complaints committee
A complaints committee makes a statement about your complaint. In this statement, the committee tells whether you are right, or partly right, or wrong. Every health care institution is required to have a complaints committee. This committee makes an official statement about your complaint. Sometimes the committee proposes mediation. A complaints committee operates according to a Complaint Regulations. This says for example how long it takes before the committee should come with a decision.
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Medisch Beroepsgeheim = Medical professional secrecy / patient confidentiality
The medical professional secrecy dictates that a care giver is not allowed to share details of a client with other people without the consent of the client.
Medical professionals, like general practitioners, psychiatrists, health care psychologists, psychotherapists, dentists, fysiotherapists and nurses are legally bound to professional secrecy. This is stated in the Individual Healthcare Professions Act (Wet op de Beroepen in de Individuele Gezondheidszorg, Wet BIG).
Medical professional secrecy can only be breached in the following cases:
- With the consent of the patient
- To exchange information with other practitioners directly involved in the treatment of the patient
- When there is a legal obligation to provide the information
- In case of a conflict of responsibilities
- For scientific research
Info: College Bescherming Persoonsgegevens = www.cbpweb.nl
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Middelen en maatregelen (M&M) = “Means andmeasures”
“Means and measures” refers to the things the practitioners can do to solve an acute situation of danger. Means and Measures can be seclusion, isolation, restraint, medication, or the forced administration of fluids or food. Means and measures may only be used if it is really necessary (they are often called: M&M nood – that is: M&M Emergency).
The immediate cause for the use of M&M is a new situation of which nothing is stated in the treatment plan (or care plan). For example, a client is suddenly very aggressive towards other residents, which has never happened before. The care team has to intervene, but in the client’s treatment plan there is nothing stated about the way that the team can intervene. In this situation, means and measures is sometimes the only solution. Means and measures are only possible during a forced admission. They may last for a maximum of seven days. Thereafter, if necessary, a compulsory treatment can start.
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Officier van justitie = Prosecutor
The Prosecutor is a representative of the Public Prosecutor [NL = Openbaar Ministerie]. In the Netherlands, if a person is thought to have broken the law, the Public Prosecutor is the party that accuses the person in a court of law. He or she represents “the people”. A judge then decides if the person is guilty.
In case of a forced admission the Prosecutor determines whether the court should be called in. The prosecutor is involved in procedures concerning coercion in care, for instance:
- Judicial authorization
- Ibs procedure
- Conditional authorization
- Judicial authorization at his own request
Other tasks of the Prosecutor are: To ask the court for receivership, administration or mentorship when there is no family that can make that request; and the prosecution of people who have done something criminal. — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Ondersteuningsplan = Support plan
A support plan is the same as a care plan or supervision plan. In the support plan is stated what support someone needs in order to manage his life and to develop himself. A support plan is a customized plan. Each person is different and needs more or less support or advice.
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Patiëntenvertrouwenspersoon (PVP) = Patient counselor / patient’s confidant
A patient counselor supports and advises clients in health care in the enforcement of their rights.
The PVP is an independent person: he or she is not employed by the hospital. Clients can address their complaints to the PVP. The help of the PVP is free. The PVP provides information and advice, he can mediate between the client and the staff of the institution and may assist in filing a complaint. The PVP is bound to professional secrecy.
Info: www.pvp.nl
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Rechter = Judge
A judge makes decisions in cases where people do not agree with each other. The judge examines what exactly is going on and what the law and other legal sources state about the matter. On this basis, he passes a statement. Everyone must keep to that decision. The judge also determines whether a person should be involuntarily admitted. To make this decision, the judge talks to the client and other people. He also reads the written documentation, such as a medical certificate and sometimes the treatment plan.
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Second opinion If a patient wants “a second opinion”, this means that the patient wants another doctor to examine him, because he is not sure that the first doctor made a good diagnosis. This second doctor then determines what treatment he/she would give. Patients do not have a “right” to a second opinion, but in practice most doctors cooperate. This is also stimulated by the doctors organization KNMG. Dutch people do have the right to choose their own doctor. The chosen doctor will usually first want to look at the situation before he/she accepts the patient. A Dutch doctor is not obliged to accept a patient.
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Separatie = Seclusion
Seclusion means locking a person up in a special room (“separeerruimte”) even if the person does not want this.
Seclusion is a very drastic measure. It may only be applied when there is danger (see also: Gevaar) and when there is no alternative.
A seclusion room is a bare room with a mattress and a blanket. There is a WC or a cardboard pot in the room. There has to be a clock. There should also be a paper with information about the rights of someone in seclusion. The Minister must have approved of the use of this room as a seclusion room.
The practitioner or another physician decides whether a person is to be secluded. The nurses bring the client to the seclusion room. They may use some force if he does not want to cooperate. In an emergency situation, the nurses may first seclude the client, before the physician makes the official decision.
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Signaleringsplan = Alert plan
An alert plan is intended to prevent a severe psychological crisis by offering timely and adequate help. The alert plan is filled in by the client together with somebody from the hospital. An alert plan includes:
- The early signs of a crisis.
- Situations which provide extra tension and that the client can better avoid if there are early signs present.
- Things the client can do to prevent a serious crisis.
- Things that people around can do to prevent a serious crisis.
- Things that people in the area should really not do if there are early signs of a crisis.
- Measures that professionals can take, for example, to provide medication or not. These actions help to restore the balance before a serious crisis happens.
The alert plan further contains details of the emergency services. And details of counselors whom the client can contact if a crisis is likely to happen
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Vertegenwoordiger = Representative
A representative takes decisions for someone who can not do so himself. A legal representative is appointed by the court. Minors automatically have a legal representative, namely the parent or guardian who has custody. Even adults can have a legal representative, a guardian or mentor.
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Voorwaardelijke machtiging = Conditional authorization
A conditional authorization is intended to prevent forced hospitalization in a psychiatric hospital. In the authorisation the enabling conditions are mentioned, for example about the use of medication. As long as the client complies with those conditions, he is basically freed from forced admission. The conditional authorization is only possible for clients with psychological problems.
There are two types of conditions. a) The general condition that the client keeps to his treatment plan For example: the treatment plan sets the condition that the client needs to take his medication or pick up his deposit. Or that he has to talk with a nurse every week. b) The special conditions set by the judge These are separate conditions that the judge imposes. These conditions are mostly about behaviour outside the hospital. For example, the client may not use any drugs or alcohol.
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Vrijheden = Freedoms
Freedom means that people can do and say what they want. Freedom belongs to the universal rights of man. In the Netherlands, for example, people are free to say what they want (freedom of expression), where they go (movement) and how they want to live. Of course within certain limits. Also when people are hospitalised they keep their right to freedom. That applies when a client is voluntarily admitted, and also when a person is admitted “without consent and without resistance” and also in case of forced admission. Clients keep the freedom to receive mail, make a call or receive visitors. In some situations, a practitioner can limit the freedom of a client.
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Vrijheidsbeperking = Restriction of freedom
When a person’s freedom is restricted he is not totally free to do what he wants. It is a form of coercion.
Freedom is a universal human right. In the Netherlands, for example, you are free to say what you want (freedom of speech), you may go where you like (freedom of movement) and you may live the way you like – of course within certain limits.
In a psychiatric institution the freedom of a person who is admitted may be restricted. Examples of restriction of freedom are:
- Forced admission = the client may not leave the hospital without permission
- The client may not leave the ward
- The client’s mail can be searched
- The client is not allowed to make a telephone call
- The client might not be allowed to receive visitors
Restriction of freedom is a drastic measure. It may only be applied if there are no other means available and should last no longer than necessary.
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Wet verplichte ggz = Compulsory Mental Healthcare Act
This law specifies when coercion (force) is allowed in the treatment of a patient and what the rights are of people who are subjected to coercion in health care. The Wvggz law formulates:
- The rights of clients who are involuntarily admitted to an institution
- When a practitioner may use force
- When restraint may be applied, for instance, when a person is not allowed to leave the ward or make a call
- The rights of clients in forced treatment
The Wvggz law applies to:
- Compulsory admission and treatment in psychiatric health care
- Care for people with intellectual disabilities
- Care for elderly people with dementia (psychogeriatric care)
The Minister of VWS (the health minister) is responsible for the Wvggz law and for the policies surrounding the law.
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Wilsonbekwaam = Mentally incompetent
A person is mentally incompetent if he is not able to make a sound decision independently. This can be in one specific situation, or in more situations.
A person is mentally incompetent if he:
- Cannot understand information
- Does not understand what the consequences of his decisions are and / or cannot make a decision.
The mental incompetence can last a short time or last forever. For example: a person who is unconscious cannot make a decision until he wakes up. But a person suffering from severe dementia will be mentally incompetent for the rest of his life. The incompetence might only apply to some (complicated) cases and not to other situations. For example, someone might not be able to decide whether he wants to undergo a complicated surgery or not. While this person can still clearly indicate that he does not want to eat fish.
Mental competence therefore always depends on the situation and on the type of decision that should be taken. The competence should therefore always be determined for each situation. Is the person capable of making a decision in this particular situation? Only if he is not, others can help him to make this decision.
The assessment of a person’s mental (in)competence is always done by an expert such as a medical doctor. For this she uses a number of criteria, but fixed rules can not be given. The assumption is that someone is mentally competent, until it is proven that he is not. Another important point is whether the client understands the consequences of his decision. When a person is declared mentally incompetent, a representative can step in to make the decisions for him. But the incompetent client may still decide for himself on certain issues. For example: A severely demented person might not be able to decide whether he wants a certain pill, but he might still be able to say whether he wants to go for a walk or not.
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Zelfbindingsmachtiging = Self-binding authorization
A self-binding authorization is a court ruling that states that a client must adhere to the self-binding declaration that the client has signed himself when he felt good. The self-binding declaration states what treatment the client would want to receive if he does not feel well. With a self-binding authorization of the court, the client has to keep his self-binding declaration even if he does not want to do that anymore when he is in a crisis.
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Zorgmachtiging (zm) = Court authorization / judicial authorization
A court authorization (rm) is a decision made by a judge that somebody should be involuntarily admitted (or remain admitted) to a psychiatric hospital.
Mind: A court authorization is not intended for an acute emergency: in that case a “crisis measure (crisis maatregel)” is used.
Anyone can initiate the zm-procedure, but usually the route runs through the GP or another practitioner. The doctor sends a request to the public prosecutor. If the prosecutor also thinks the rm is necessary, the request is forwarded to the court. The judge is the one who makes the final decision.
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Zorgplan = Care plan
In the care plan, the wishes, abilities, needs and handicaps of a client are noted. The care plan also describes the targets for the next period and the agreements on care and welfare. A care plan is designed to give clients more autonomy en to make clear what care and support he or she gets. A care plan is a component of “good care”, where clients stay themselves as much as possible. In the care plan, the wishes, capabilities, needs and constraints of a client. The care plan is also used to transfer information between professionals and to new employees.
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Zorgteam = Care team
A care team is a team of healthcare providers from whom a client receives care and support. A caregiver from the care team will discuss with each client what his needs and wishes are. The caregiver puts these agreements in the care plan. The care team writes in the care plan what care they have given and the changes and any new agreements.
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English => Dutch
Activities therapist = Activiteitentherapeut
Administrator = Bewindvoerder
Alert plan= Signaleringsplan
Ambulatory care = Ambulante hulpverlening
Article 60 of the Bopz-Act = Artikel 60 Wet Bopz
Body search = Fouilleren
Bopz-doctor = Bopz-arts
Care plan = Zorgplan
Care team = Zorgteam
Client board or consumers’ council = Cliëntenraad
Coercion / compulsion = Dwang
Complaint = Klacht
Complaints committee = Klachtencommissie
Conditional authorisation = Voorwaardelijke machtiging
Court authorization / judicial authorization = Rechterlijke machtiging (rm)
Curator = Curator
Custody measure / detention = Inbewaringstelling (ibs)
Danger = Gevaar
Emergency service = Crisisdienst
Forced admission / involuntary admission = Gedwongen opname
Forced treatment = Dwangbehandeling
Freedoms = Vrijheden
Good care = Goede zorg
Health Care Inspectorate = Inspectie voor de Gezondheidszorg
House rules = Huisregels
Internal examination = Inwendig onderzoek
Intervention without the clear consent of the person, i.e. “meddling” care or “nosy” care. = Bemoeizorg
Judge = Rechter
Lawyer = Advocaat
Means and measures = Middelen en maatregelen
Meddling care = Bemoeizorg
Medical certificate = Geneeskundige verklaring
Medical professional secrecy / patient confidentiality = Medisch Beroepsgeheim
MEE = MEE
“Mental Health Act” = Wet Bopz
Mentally incompetent = Wilsonbekwaam
Nosy care = Bemoeizorg
Patient counselor / patient’s confidant = Patiëntenvertrouwenspersoon (PVP)
Patient in care of a mental health care practitioner = Cliënt
Permit to admit and treat patients without their consent = Bopz-aanmerking
Pressure = Drang
Prosecutor = Officier van justitie
Representative = Vertegenwoordiger
Restriction of freedom = Vrijheidsbeperking
Seclusion = Separatie
Second opinion = Second opinion
Self-binding authorization = Zelfbindingsmachtiging
Special care unit = Comfortroom / Special care unit
Support plan = Ondersteuningsplan
Treatment plan = Behandelplan