If the patient is not admitted

When the patient is not admitted to hospital, a package of follow-up care needs to be agreed with the patient and nearest relative, if appropriate. Arrangements may need to be made to contact mental health or social work teams during working hours to inform them of the assessment and / or to make a referral.

You are entitled to submit a claim form (usually held by the ASW).

This is not intended to be a comprehensive guide to the Mental Health Act 1983.  The Code of Practice (1999 version) provides guidance to doctors, managers and staff of hospitals and registered mental nursing homes, and ASWs on how they should proceed when undertaking duties under the Act.

The Department of Health published guidance to assist GPs in understanding the processes involved in undertaking mental health assessments under the Mental Health Act 1983 and to clarify their role in those processes.   It can be accessed on the Department of Health's website on http://www.doh.gov.uk/mhact1983.htm.

Last edited: 2/2/2004

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