"Approved mental health professional" is defined in s114 as:

(a) in relation to acting on behalf of a local social services authority whose area is in England, a person approved under subsection (1) above by any local social services authority whose area is in England, and

(b) in relation to acting on behalf of a local social services authority whose area is in Wales, a person approved under that subsection by any local social services authority whose area is in Wales.

The obvious difference with the old Approved Social Worker is that the AMHP need not be a social worker.

Commencement

Date in force	Commencement order	MHA 2007 section	MHA 1983 sections affected
1/10/07	Mental Health Act 2007 (Commencement No. 3) Order 2007	19, 20	New s114A [and CSA 2000 amended]
1/4/08	Mental Health Act 2007 (Commencement No. 4) Order 2008	18 (for the purpose only of making regulations)
1/4/08	Mental Health Act 2007 (Commencement No. 4) Order 2008	18 (partially)	New s114(9) and (10), defining "the appropriate national authority" and "approved mental health professional"
3/11/08	Mental Health Act 2007 (Commencement No.7 and Transitional Provisions) Order 2008	18 (remainder, England only)	New s114
3/11/08	Mental Health Act 2007 (Commencement No.7 and Transitional Provisions) Order 2008	s21 and sch 2 (England only)	s4, s8, s10, s11, s13, s14, s18, s21B, s29, s30, s40, s87, s88, s89, s115, s118, s135, s136, s138, s145
3/11/08	Mental Health Act 2007 (Commencement No. 8 and Transitional Provisions) Order 2008	s18 (remainder, Wales); s21 and sch 2 (Wales)	As above

External links

Please see the external links here: Responsible Clinician/Approved Clinician replaces Responsible Medical Officer 3/11/08