Mental Health Act Terminology

Advance directive

An example of an advance directive is when you make a statement saying you do not want to be given a particular treatment now or in the future, even if you reach a point when you can no longer make such decisions.

Advance statement

A statement you can make to describe how you would like to be cared for and treated, if at some time in the future you are unable to make your views known.

Appropriate adult

A person who is independent of the police and whose role is to protect the rights of a person with

mental health problems in police custody.

Responsible Clinician (RC)

A professional who need not be a doctor and is in charge of treating you under the Mental Health Act.

Approved Clinician (AC)

Like the RC it need not be a doctor and can be a nurse, psychologist or occupational therapist who can make decision about your treatment and care.

Approved Mental Health Practitioner (AMHP)

Someone with specialist training and experience in dealing with people with mental disorders and need not be a social worker and can be a nurse, psychologist or occupational therapist.

Hospital managers

People who make sure the hospital meets the requirements of the Mental Health Act.This includes reviewing your detention if you ask, and also if the responsible clinician (RC) wants to renew your detention.

Mental Health Act Commission )MHAC)

Mental Health Act Commission (MHAC) The organisation that reviews the way the Mental Health Act is applied to people detained in hospital.

Mental Health Review Tribunal

A panel of three members that listens to the evidence presented by the RC
Social Worker, nurse and the patient. They have the power to discharge a patient from hospital.

Mental Disorder

A type of mental disorder that covers such conditions as schizophrenia and depression.

Learning Disability

Is defined in the Mental Health Act as ‘a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind (not amounting to severe mental impairment) which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning and is associated with abnormally aggressive or seriously irresponsible conduct on the part of the person concerned’.

Nearest relative

A person, usually a relative that has various rights and powers, including the right to apply for your discharge from hospital. Nearest Relative can include same sex couples.

Second opinion appointed doctor (SOAD)

A doctor appointed by the Mental Health Act Commission to look at whether certain types of treatment in the Mental Health Act should be given to you without your permission.