A steep rise in the numbers of Bradford patients being 'sectioned' under the Mental Health Act will be raised with Government ministers.

Doctors, campaigners and Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe are worried by a 25 per cent hike in the numbers of mental health patients forced into hospital for treatment.

Now Mr Sutcliffe has promised to raise the matter with Health Minister Paul Boateng, who has responsibility for mental health issues.

Health watchdogs and social services chiefs are demanding an explanation for the figures. Doctors meanwhile - who fear some patients are being sectioned inappropriately - want to see more cash ploughed into community mental health care to give doctors a choice other than admitting people into hospital.

In 1996, there were 273 compulsory admissions to hospital in the Bradford district under the Mental Health Act; in 1997, this had leapt 25 per cent to 342. The figure was 201 for the first six months of this year.

"If the figures have shown a rapid growth like this we should take it up with Paul Boateng, a regular visitor to Bradford," said Mr Sutcliffe.

Barry Schofield, chairman of the Bradford Community Health Council said he would study the report as a matter of urgency.

"The CHC has long-standing concerns about mental health services across the district which we continue to raise in our regular meetings with the community health trust.

"We'd be very concerned at figures like that."

Dr Patrick Bracken of Bradford shares the concern. "It's something that does need attention from the health authority," he said.

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