Tom - your views are at one with the Royal College of Psychiatrists and British Association of Accident and Emergency Medicine. These august authorities suggested identical arrangements more than 10 years ago - I believe the PFI hospital just down the road is finally due to open such a purpose built unit, although these beacons of excellence are very few and far between, and the nurse you encountered is unlikely to find employment there, although Zaruthustra or Mr Ian probably would ;o) http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/files/pdfversion/cr61.pdf