Responsible Clinician/Approved Clinician replaces Responsible Medical Officer
"Responsible clinician" is defined in s34 as:
- (a) in relation to a patient liable to be detained by virtue of an application for admission for assessment or an application for admission for treatment, or a community patient, the approved clinician with overall responsibility for the patient's case;
- (b) in relation to a patient subject to guardianship, the approved clinician authorised by the responsible local social services authority to act (either generally or in any particular case or for any particular purpose) as the responsible clinician
"Approved clinician" is defined in s145 as:
- ... a person approved by the Secretary of State (in relation to England) or by the Welsh Ministers (in relation to Wales) to act as an approved clinician for the purposes of this Act
In contrast with a Responsible Medical Officer, an RC does not need to be a doctor. However, sometimes a doctor is still required, for example the recommendations for initial detention under section 2 or 3 must be made by a registered medical practitioner.
Commencement
| Date in force | Commencement order | MHA 2007 section | MHA 1983 sections affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4/08 | Mental Health Act 2007 (Commencement No. 4) Order 2008 | 17 | s142A |
| 3/11/08 | Mental Health Act 2007 (Commencement No.7 and Transitional Provisions) Order 2008 | 9 | s5, s17, s20, s21B, s23, s24, s25, s34 |
| " | " | 10 | s35, s36, s37, s38, s41, s44, s45A |
| " | " | 11 | s50, s51, s52, s53, s54, s55, sch 1 pt 2 para 3 |
| " | " | 12 | s57, s58, s61, s62, s63, s64 |
| " | " | 13 | s67, s76, s79 |
| " | " | 14 | s118, s120, s121, s134, s145 |
| " | " | 15 | [Other Acts, including CPIA 1964 s5A(4)] |
| " | " | 16 | s12 |
| " | " | s55, sch 11 | s20, s21B, s61 |
Related changes
New procedure for renewal of detention 3/11/08
Approved Mental Health Professional replaces Approved Social Worker 3/11/08
External links
NIMHE: Mental Health Act 2007 New Roles: Guidance for approving authorities on Approved Mental Health Professionals and Approved Clinicians - Published 22/10/08
NIMHE: New Roles Early Implementer Site Project - Nurses etc becoming approved clinicians and AMHPs - published March 2009
INFORMATION
What links here:
- MHA 1983 s118
- MHA 1983 s12
- MHA 1983 s120
- MHA 1983 s121
- MHA 1983 s134
- MHA 1983 s142A
- MHA 1983 s145
- MHA 1983 s17
- MHA 1983 s20
- MHA 1983 s21B
- MHA 1983 s23
- MHA 1983 s24
- MHA 1983 s25
- MHA 1983 s34
- MHA 1983 s35
- MHA 1983 s36
- MHA 1983 s38
- MHA 1983 s41
- MHA 1983 s44
- MHA 1983 s45A
- MHA 1983 s45B
- MHA 1983 s46
- MHA 1983 s49
- MHA 1983 s5
- MHA 1983 s50
- MHA 1983 s51
- MHA 1983 s52
- MHA 1983 s53
- MHA 1983 s54
- MHA 1983 s55
- MHA 1983 s57
- MHA 1983 s58
- MHA 1983 s61
- MHA 1983 s63
- MHA 1983 s64
- MHA 1983 s67
- MHA 1983 s76
- MHA 1983 sched 1