The occupational therapist is increasingly likely to be concerned with the care of mentally disordered people. Some provisions of the Mental Health Act 1983 affect him/her directly. This article discusses some of the most important provisions of the mental health legislation, in particular compulsory admission, consent to treatment provisions, the duties of the manager to inform the patient and the definition and powers of the nearest relative.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Mental Health Act 1983. London: HMSO, 1983.
2.
National Assistance Act 1948. National Assistance (Amendment) Act 1951. London: HMSO, 1948, 1951.
3.
Mental Health Act Commission.Draft Code of practice. London: DHSS, 1987.
4.
Mental Health Act Commission.Second Biennial Report 1985–87. London: HMSO, 1987.
5.
DimondB.The right to be consulted. Nurs Mirror1983; 5 Oct: 35.
6.
Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984. London: HMSO, 1984.
