The Mental Health Act 1983
The Mental Health Act 1983 provides a statutory framework for
the care of people with a mental disorder who are considered to
require assessment, or assessment followed by treatment, if
necessary, under compulsion .The Act requires that, before a person
may be detained ('sectioned') an Approved Mental Health
Professional (a mental health professional who has been approved by
the local social services authority) must make an application,
supported by recommendations from two doctors, one of whom must be
approved as a practitioner with special experience in the diagnosis
and treatment of mental disorder, to a hospital which provides
appropriate treatment for mental disorder.
Guidance on use of the Mental Health Act is provided by a Code
of Practice published by the Department of Health and supported by
guidance notes produced by the Care Quality Commission. Further
information and guidance notes published by the Care Quality
Commission . Information and publications about the Mental
Health Act and Code of Practice are available from the Department of
Health
Trust policies and procedural guidance on the use of the Mental
Health Act can be accessed by viewing Our Policies
Right of Appeal against Detention
The Mental Health Act 1983 provides important rights for the
protection of detained patients, including the right of appeal to
the Mental Health Tribunal and Hospital Managers - application
forms and further information about the right of appeal against
detention are available from the Mental Health Act Office at each
of our hospital sites. Further information is available from the Mental Health Tribunal
Service or by writing to:
The Tribunals Service (Mental Health)
PO Box 8793
5th Floor
Leicester
LE1 8BN
(tel. 0116 249 7255)
Advocacy
People who are detained under the Mental Health Act, including
people under Guardianship and Supervised Community Treatment, have
the right to be supported by the Independent Mental Health Advocacy
Service (IMHA). Procedural guidance concerning the IMHA service is
available from this website. Further information about the role and
responsibilities of the IMHA service is available from Department of
Health
What Happens when you are detained under the Mental Health
Act?
You can find further information about the Mental Health Act
1983, the Code of Practice, Trust policies on the Act and Guidance
notes from the Care Quality commission by searching this web site.
Alternatively you can download all of this information from the Department of
Health and the Care Quality Commission
If you require further information or advice concerning use of
the Mental Health Act in this Trust you can write to:
The Mental Health Act Manager, Manchester Mental Health and
Social Care Trust, Chorlton House, 70 Manchester Road, Chorlton cum
Hardy, M21 9UN
You can also phone on (0161) 277 1118