assess the patient and obtain the consent of the family - if possible, avoid asking the family to be responsible for signing section papers as they are likely to be the long-term carers and need the patient's trust
contact hospital to arrange the bed and arrange the psychiatrist's attendance if at all possible
if you are not from the patient's practice eg on call for a GP co-operative, an approved GP must also be called
contact an approved social worker and give the time that the consultant is expected at the venue
arrange an ambulance for the time the consultant is expected
contact the police if there is a risk of violence or of the patient absconding - the police have a legal duty to ensure a sectioned patient gets to hospital and so warn them if they are likely to be needed
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