Why a stronger Mental Health Act Code of Practice will lead to better care
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