The Mental Health Act 1983 (The Act)
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Acknowledgement ‘The artwork on the front cover is ‘Missed’ by Chris Ridge, the overall winner of our competition for artwork for the Code of Practice. ‘Missed’ illustrates the benefits of art therapy for people with mental health problems.’ 1 Introduction i. The Code of Practice and this Reference Guide should be used together to provide statutory guidance (the Code of Practice) and an explanation of the provisions of the Mental Health Act 1983 (the Act). ii. There are a small number of clarifications to the Code of Practice and these are listed in Figure 1 at the end of this Introduction. Presentation and content iii. The Reference Guide is divided into 38 chapters with five annexes. Chapters have been grouped into eight clusters relating to common themes and topics. Colour coding has been used so these groups can be recognised. Comprehensive cross-referencing and annexes have been included to ensure that users can readily find related material. The eight clusters reflect the sections of the Code of Practice. The groupings are summarised below. Using the Act: chapter 1 The chapter in this section describes the structure of the Act and provides basic definitions for the terms used in the Act. Protecting patients’ rights and autonomy: chapters 2-6 This group of chapters addresses the issues of particular importance for empowering patients, carers, nearest relatives and others with a legitimate interest in matters relating to care and treatment under the Act. It provides guidance on the nearest relatives including the identification and appointment of an acting nearest relative by the court. It also describes the role and activities of independent mental health advocates and the roles of the Care Quality Commission and the Tribunal. The limited circumstances in which correspondence to or from patients may be withheld are explained. Assessment, transport and admission to hospital: chapters 7-11 This group of chapters is concerned with the ways in which civil (part 2) patients may be admitted to hospital, the circumstances in which patients may be transferred between hospitals if that becomes necessary as part of their care and treatment and how patients who are absent without leave may be returned. Additional considerations for specific patients: chapters 12-22 Certain groups of patients require consideration in addition to the general guidance that applies to all patients. These chapters set out how the Act regards three specific groups of patients – those under 18 years of age, informal patients (ie those who are not detained under the Act and are receiving treatment voluntarily), and patients who have been referred to hospital after coming into contact with the criminal justice system (part 3 patients). Part 3 patients may be sent to hospital by the courts or be transferred from prison or other forms of custody, eg immigration removal centres. 2 Care, support and treatment in hospital: chapters 23-24 These chapters describe the provisions of the Act dealing with medical treatment for mental disorder. These provisions primarily apply to people who are liable to be detained in hospital or who are community treatment order (CTO) patients. Some provisions apply to all mental health patients, regardless of whether they are, or could be, detained under the Act. Leaving hospital: chapters 25-29 Patients who leave hospital may be fully discharged or allowed on temporary leave under section 17 of the Act, placed under guardianship or be discharged onto a CTO. Patients on section 17 leave remain liable to be detained under the Act and patients subject to a CTO may be recalled to hospital for further medical treatment if necessary. The Secretary of State for Justice may conditionally discharge a restricted patient at any time, by issuing a warrant to that effect and in certain circumstances restricted patients may be conditionally discharged by the Tribunal. Where patients are placed under guardianship the guardian may be a local authority or a private individual. The Act requires clinical commissioning groups and local authorities to arrange after- care for certain patients who have been detained for treatment under the Act to help their re-integration into the community. This after-care must meet a need arising from or related to the person’s mental disorder and have the purpose of reducing the risk of a deterioration of the person’s mental condition. Professional responsibilities: chapters 30-33 The responsibilities and obligations of mental health professionals and hospital managers under the Act are set out in relation to: • patients • the nearest relative, and (on occasion) • victims. The provisions in the Act relating to the approval of approved mental health professionals (AMHP), doctors approved under the Act as having special experience in the diagnosis or treatment of mental disorder, and approved clinicians are included. The chapter on hospital managers and the Act covers how the Act defines hospital managers, the functions of hospital managers, how hospital managers’ functions may be delegated and the scrutiny of documents and the rectification of errors. Under the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 20041 (DVCVA), victims of serious violent and sexual offences have the right to receive certain information about key stages in a part 3 patient’s progress and treatment. 1 Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/28 3 The chapter on offences describes the specific offences created by the Act, and the provisions which protect people who undertake actions under, or purporting to be under, the Act. Transfer of patients between jurisdictions: chapters 34-38 On occasions it is necessary to transfer patients to different parts of the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man or abroad. These chapters look at the provisions within the Act which govern whether, and if so how, this may be done. Transfers between England and Wales are included in chapter 10. References to legislation iv. When this Reference Guide refers to parts, sections or schedules, it means sections or schedules of the Act itself, unless otherwise specified. When it refers to secondary legislation under the Act it means the following: The HGT Regulations (or HGT The Mental Health (Hospital, Guardianship Regulation X or Y) and Treatment) (England) Regulations 2008 (No. 1184)2 The AMHP Regulations The Mental Health (Approved Mental Health Professionals) (Approval) (England) Regulations 2008 (No. 1206)3 The Conflict of Interest Regulations The Mental Health (Conflicts of Interest) (England) Regulations 2008 (No. 1205)4 The Mutual Recognition The Mental Health (Mutual Recognition) Regulations Regulations 2008 (No. 1204)5 The Nurses Order Mental Health (Nurses) (England) Order 2008 (No. 1207)6 The Standing Rules The National Health Service Commissioning Board and Clinical Commissioning Groups (Responsibilities and Standing Rules) 7 Regulations 2012 (No. 2996) Figure 1: Clarifications of the Mental Health Act 1983: Code of Practice 2015 2 The Mental Health (Hospital, Guardianship and Treatment) (England) Regulations. 2008 SI 2008/1184. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2008/1184/pdfs/uksi_20081184_en.pdf 3The Mental Health (Approved Mental Health Professionals) (Approval) (England) Regulations. SI 2008/1206. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2008/1206/pdfs/uksi_20081206_en.pdf 4 The Mental Health (Conflicts of Interest) (England) Regulations. SI 2008/1205. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2008/1205/pdfs/uksi_20081205_en.pdf 5 The Mental Health (Mutual Recognition) Regulations. SI 2008/1204. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2008/1204 6 Mental Health (Nurses) (England) Order. SI 2008/1207. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2008/1207 7 The National Health Service Commissioning Board and Clinical Commissioning Groups (Responsibilities and Standing Rules) Regulations. SI 2012/2996. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/2996 4 Code of Practice paragraph Clarification 12.30 It is important that the patient’s The ‘where appropriate’ in the first responsible clinician/s attend the Tribunal, sentence refers to ‘other staff’ rather supported by other staff involved in the than the responsible clinician. patient’s care, where appropriate, as their evidence is crucial for making the case for a patient’s continued detention or CTO under the Act. Wherever possible the responsible clinician, and other relevant staff, should attend for the full hearing so that they are aware of all the evidence made available to the Tribunal and the Tribunal’s decision and reasons. 15.16 It should also be borne in mind that These two paragraphs should be read a person who is removed to a place of in conjunction with chapter 16. They safety may already be on a community update paragraphs 10.54 and 10.55 in treatment order (CTO) (chapter 29), the 2008 Code and could have been conditional discharge (chapter 22) or leave located in new chapter 16 ‘Police of absence (chapter 27), or might be powers and places of safety’. absent without leave (chapter 28) and that they may need to be recalled or returned to hospital. If it becomes apparent that this is the case, the professionals assessing the patient should make an effort to contact the patient’s responsible clinician as soon as possible. 15.17 Where the person is known to be on a CTO and compulsory admission is indicated, the recall power should be used (see chapter 29). An application for detention should not be made in respect of a person who is known to be on a CTO. 5 29.46 The responsible clinician may recall Text in Act is correct and overrides a patient on a CTO to hospital for Code text. Should be read as ‘and’ not treatment if: ‘or’ in both cases. • the patient needs to receive treatment for mental disorder in hospital (either as an in-patient or as an out-patient), or • there would be a risk of harm to the health or safety of the patient or to other persons if the patient were not recalled.