Nigel Turner's HyperGUIDE to the Mental Health Act

Code of Practice

Section 118 requires the Secretary of State / Department of Health to publish a Code of Practice for the guidance of those involved in the admission of people to hospital (and registered mental nursing homes) under the Act, and those responsible for their treatment.

The Code covers many aspects of the operation of the Mental Health Act. In particular, the Code of Practice may specify additional forms of medical treatment to come under the scope of Section 57, where the patient's consent and a second medical opinion are required.

Copies of the existing Code of Practice are available from The Stationary Office.

Overview page. Contents page. Introduction page.

This page last revised 15 March 2003
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of information in these pages, they are not intended to be relied upon as an authoritative statement of the law. The author cannot accept liability for errors or omissions.