Code of practice : Mental Health Act 1983 / Department of Health and Welsh Office.

  • Great Britain. Department of Health
Date:
1993
Catalogue details

Licence: Open Government Licence

Credit: Code of practice : Mental Health Act 1983 / Department of Health and Welsh Office. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    MENTAL HEALTH ACT 2 Assessment General 2.1 This chapter is about the assessment by Approved Social Workers (A S Ws) and doctors of the needs of a person with mental health problems, where it may lead to an application for admission to hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983 (the Act). 2.2 Doctors and A S Ws must recognize that both have specific roles to play in assessment and should arrive at their own independent decisions. Such recognition should be underpinned by good working relationships based on knowledge and responsibilities; assessment should be carried out jointly unless good reasons prevent it (although it may be advantageous for each professional to interview the patient alone). An agreement should be reached between the professionals involved in the assessment process as to how their responsibilities can best be discharged. 2.3 A decision not to apply for admission under the Act should be clearly thought through, and supported, where necessary, by an alternative framework of care and/or treatment. 2.4 Everyone involved in assessment should be aware of the need to provide mutual support, especially where there is a risk of the patient causing serious physical harm (including, where necessary, the need to call for police assistance and how to use that assistance to minimise the risk of violence).
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