Following the consultation that took place over the summer, the revised Code of Practice: Mental Health Act (1983) has been published in parliament. Subject to parliamentary approval, it will come into force on 1 April 15.  

The revised Code aims to provide stronger protection for patients and clarify roles, rights and responsibilities. This includes:

  • involving the patient and where appropriate, their families and carers in discussions about the patient’s care at every stage
  • providing personalised care
  • minimising the use of inappropriate blanket restrictions, restrictive interventions and the use of police cells as places of safety.

The main changes to the code include:

  • 5 new guiding principles
  • new chapters on care planning, human rights, equality and health inequalities
  • consideration of when to use the Mental Health Act and when to use the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and information to support victims
  • new sections on physical health care, blanket restrictions, duties to support patients with dementia and immigration detainees
  • significantly updated chapters on the appropriate use of restrictive interventions, particularly seclusion and long-term segregation, police powers and places of safety
  • further guidance on how to support children and young people, those with a learning disability or autism.

Read the full news story.

Please see the link to the revised Code