Department of Health and Social Care Country Resources Mental Health Legislation, Regulations and Implementation Guides England and Wales 15 January 2015 Guidelines

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Description

The Code provides statutory guidance to registered medical practitioners (‘doctors’),
approved clinicians, managers and staff of providers and approved mental health
professionals (AMHPs) on how they should proceed when undertaking duties under
the Act. These professionals should have detailed knowledge of the Code, including
its purpose, function and scope.
III It gives statutory guidance to registered medical practitioners and other
professionals in relation to the medical treatment of patients suffering from mental
disorder.
IV The guidance given in the Code to local authorities and their staff is statutory
guidance given under section 7 of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970
(duty to exercise social services functions under guidance of Secretary of State).

As well as providing guidance for professionals, the revised code of practice also guides patients, their families and carers on their rights.

The code was revised to take account of stakeholders’ views during our consultation, and reflects changes in legislation, case law, policy and professional practice since its last revision in 2008. The response to the consultation was published on 15 January 2015.

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Related Items

• This item is a commentary on Mental Health Act 1983