LegalizeReform history
Mental Health Act 1983
74 versions
· 1983-05-09
2026-04-06
Mental Health Act 1983
2026-04-01
Mental Health Act 1983
2026-02-18
Mental Health Act 1983
2026-01-22
Mental Health Act 1983
2026-01-01
Mental Health Act 1983
2025-03-25
Mental Health Act 1983
2024-04-17
Mental Health Act 1983
2022-06-28
Mental Health Act 1983
2022-03-25
Mental Health Act 1983
2022-03-10
Mental Health Act 1983
2021-06-29
Mental Health Act 1983
2021-04-30
Mental Health Act 1983
2020-12-31
Mental Health Act 1983
2019-12-02
Mental Health Act 1983
Changes on 2019-12-02
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@
### Procedure for hospital admission
#### Supplementary provisions for Part IV.
#### Treatment not requiring consent.
##### 2
@@ -4378,7 +4378,7 @@
#### Application of Act: “mental disorder”.
#### Admission for assessment.
#### Admission for treatment.
##### 12A
@@ -4810,7 +4810,7 @@
- (11) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
#### Rectification of applications and recommendations.
#### Duty of approved mental health professionals to make applications for admission or guardianship.
##### 45B
@@ -8270,7 +8270,7 @@
[^key-56f7024b769a202a9bfdb2e88d7dd9cc]: S. 136C inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 11.12.2017 in so far as not already in force) by [Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2017/3), [ss. 83](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2017/3/section/83), [183(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2017/3/section/183/1)[(5)(e)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2017/3/section/183/5/e); [S.I. 2017/1017](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2017/1017), [reg. 3(d)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2017/1017/regulation/3/d) (with [reg. 4](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2017/1017/regulation/4))
[^key-d98fd628a1f939a714d99f02c232a215]: [S. 114ZA](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1983/20/section/114ZA): power to amend conferred (1.4.2018) by [Children and Social Work Act 2017 (c. 16)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2017/16), [ss. 48(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2017/16/section/48/1), [70(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2017/16/section/70/2); [S.I. 2018/346](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/346), [reg. 4(p)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/346/regulation/4/p)
[^key-d98fd628a1f939a714d99f02c232a215]: S. 114ZA: power to amend conferred (1.4.2018) by [Children and Social Work Act 2017 (c. 16)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2017/16), [ss. 48(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2017/16/section/48/1), [70(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2017/16/section/70/2); [S.I. 2018/346](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/346), [reg. 4(p)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/346/regulation/4/p)
[^key-800964276443eabf0f19810d541dc402]: [S. 78](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1983/20/section/78) functions transferred (24.5.2018) by [The Welsh Ministers (Transfer of Functions) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/644)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/644), [arts. 1(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/644/article/1/1), [20](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/644/article/20)
@@ -8284,6 +8284,14 @@
[^M_F_c90451cb-fb3f-49ee-99c5-933e6ede3ef4]: Definition of "care home" in s. 145(1) substituted (2.4.2018) by [The Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/195)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/195), [regs. 2(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/195/regulation/2/1), [6](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/195/regulation/6)
[^key-66d748ca8b8d355deb6de25718785130]: Words in s. 114ZA(1) substituted (E.) (2.12.2019) by [The Social Workers Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/893)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/893), [regs. 1(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/893/regulation/1/2), [39(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/893/regulation/39/2); [S.I. 2019/1436](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/1436), [reg. 2(b)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/1436/regulation/2/b)
[^key-e686eece09d4889bf54e679f9c959250]: Words in s. 114ZA(2) substituted (E.) (2.12.2019) by [The Social Workers Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/893)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/893), [regs. 1(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/893/regulation/1/2), [39(3)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/893/regulation/39/3); [S.I. 2019/1436](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/1436), [reg. 2(b)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/1436/regulation/2/b)
[^key-c8ab8e7a667f2ae6ef25ea64fcbfad17]: S. 114ZA(4) omitted (E.) (2.12.2019) by virtue of [The Social Workers Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/893)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/893), [regs. 1(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/893/regulation/1/2), [39(4)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/893/regulation/39/4); [S.I. 2019/1436](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/1436), [reg. 2(b)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/1436/regulation/2/b)
[^key-8f8c70371f00b1c46b82b48b6f1fd85a]: S. 114ZA(5)(6) inserted (E.) (2.12.2019) by [The Social Workers Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/893)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/893), [regs. 1(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/893/regulation/1/2), [39(5)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/893/regulation/39/5); [S.I. 2019/1436](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/1436), [reg. 2(b)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/1436/regulation/2/b)
[^M_C_9be975fd-bb56-413f-e70b-bbd6b0771c51]: Act modified (temp.) (27.3.2020 at 9.00 a.m.) by [Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2020/7), [s. 87(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2020/7/section/87/2), [Sch. 8 para. 13](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2020/7/schedule/8/paragraph/13) (with [ss. 88-90](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2020/7/section/88), [Sch. 8 para. 2](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2020/7/schedule/8/paragraph/2)); [S.I. 2020/366](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/366), [reg. 2](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/366/regulation/2) (which affecting provision expires (25.3.2022) by virtue of [Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2020/7), [s. 89](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2020/7/section/89)
#### Nearest relative of minor under guardianship, etc.
@@ -8302,7 +8310,7 @@
#### Urgent treatment.
#### Requirements to secure receipt of after-care under supervision.
#### Supervision applications: supplementary.
#### References to tribunals by Secretary of State concerning Part II patients.
@@ -8316,7 +8324,7 @@
#### Members of Parliament suffering from mental illness.
#### Appointment by court of acting nearest relative.
#### Discharge and variation of orders under s. 29.
#### Nearest relative of minor under guardianship, etc.
@@ -8326,7 +8334,7 @@
#### Review of decisions to withhold correspondence
#### Further provisions as to prisoners under sentence.
#### Restriction on discharge of prisoners removed to hospital.
#### Review of decisions to withhold correspondence
@@ -8524,7 +8532,7 @@
- (b) the reference to a deputy is to a deputy appointed for the patient by the Court of Protection under section 16 of that Act, where the deputy, in making the decision referred to in subsection (2) or the request referred to in subsection (3) or (4), is acting within the scope of his authority and in accordance with that Act.
#### Treatment on recall of community patient or revocation of order
#### Urgent treatment.
#### Adult community patients
@@ -8548,7 +8556,7 @@
#### Welsh qualifying compulsory patients
#### Remand to hospital for report on accused’s mental condition.
#### Remand of accused person to hospital for treatment.
##### 130I
@@ -8638,7 +8646,7 @@
#### Welsh qualifying compulsory patients
#### Section 64B: supplemental
#### Adult community patients
#### Duty of managers of hospitals to give information to detained patients.
@@ -8802,12 +8810,12 @@
- (4) In this section, “*information*” includes documents and records.
#### Restrictions on discharge by nearest relative.
#### Plans of treatment.
#### Visiting and examination of patients.
#### Electro-convulsive therapy, etc.
#### Electro-convulsive therapy, etc.
#### Treatment not requiring consent.
#### Adult community patients
@@ -8832,7 +8840,7 @@
#### References to tribunals by Secretary of State concerning Part II patients.
#### Appeal from the Mental Health Review Tribunal for Wales to the Upper Tribunal
#### Procedure of Mental Health Review Tribunal for Wales.
#### Removal of patients subject to compulsion in the community from Scotland
@@ -8846,13 +8854,13 @@
#### Patients absent from hospitals in England and Wales.
#### Welfare of certain hospital patients.
#### Powers of entry and inspection.
##### 114ZA
- (1) The Health and Care Professions Council may approve courses for persons who are, or wish to become, approved to act as approved mental health professionals by a local social services authority whose area is in England.
- (2) The Council must publish a list of—
- (1) Social Work England may approve courses for persons who are, or wish to become, approved to act as approved mental health professionals by a local social services authority whose area is in England.
- (2) Social Work England must publish a list of—
- (a) the courses which are approved under this section, and
@@ -8860,7 +8868,11 @@
- (3) The functions of an approved mental health professional are not to be considered to be relevant social work for the purposes of Part 4 of the Care Standards Act 2000.
- (4) Where the function under subsection (1) is, in accordance with the Health and Social Work Professions Order 2001, exercisable by a committee of the Council, the committee may arrange for another person to exercise the function on the Council's behalf.
- (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- (5) Social Work England may charge fees for approving courses under subsection (1).
- (6) In this section “Social Work England” means the body corporate established by section 36(1) of the Children and Social Work Act 2017.
#### Powers of entry and inspection.
@@ -8884,7 +8896,7 @@
#### Application to Scotland.
#### Procedure on applications to county court.
#### Regulations for purposes of Part II.
#### Restriction on discharge of prisoners removed to hospital.
@@ -8906,9 +8918,9 @@
#### Removal of patients subject to compulsion in the community from Scotland
#### Factors to be considered in determining whether patient objects to treatment
#### Duty of managers of hospitals to refer cases to tribunal.
#### Liability for negligence
#### References to tribunals by Secretary of State concerning Part II patients.
#### Removal of patients to Channel Islands or Isle of Man.
@@ -8968,31 +8980,31 @@
#### Application to Scotland.
#### Information as to hospitals.
#### Persons ordered to be kept in custody during Her Majesty’s pleasure.
#### Interim hospital orders.
#### Effect of hospital and limitation directions.
#### Treatment requiring consent or a second opinion.
#### Child community patients lacking competence
#### Applications to tribunals concerning restricted patients.
#### Applications and references concerning conditionally discharged restricted patients.
#### Removal of community patients to Northern Ireland
#### Removal or transfer of community patients to Channel Islands or Isle of Man
#### Patients absent from hospitals in the Channel Islands or Isle of Man.
#### Approval of courses: Wales
#### Code of practice.
#### Section 130A: supplemental
#### Arrangements under section 130E for Welsh qualifying compulsory patients
#### Child community patients
#### Applications to tribunals concerning patients subject to hospital and guardianship orders.
#### Restricted patients subject to restriction directions.
#### Removal of patients to Northern Ireland.
#### Removal of patients to Channel Islands or Isle of Man.
#### Patients absent from hospitals in England and Wales.
#### Approval of courses: England
#### After-care: exception for provision of nursing care
#### Arrangements under section 130A
#### Independent mental health advocates: Wales
#### Welsh qualifying informal patients
@@ -9082,7 +9094,7 @@
- (7) The power to search a person conferred by subsection (1) or (3) does not affect any other power to search the person.
#### Welsh qualifying informal patients
#### Welsh qualifying compulsory patients
#### Duty to give information about independent mental health advocates to Welsh qualifying informal patients
@@ -9090,10 +9102,10 @@
#### Accommodation, etc. for children
#### Duty of managers of hospitals to give information to community patients
#### Warrant to search for and remove patients.
#### Power to amend local Acts.
#### Application to Northern Ireland.
#### Duty of managers of hospitals to give information to detained patients.
#### Review of decisions to withhold correspondence
#### General provisions as to regulations, orders and rules.
#### Application to Scotland.
2018-05-24
Mental Health Act 1983
2018-04-02
Mental Health Act 1983
2017-01-31
Mental Health Act 1983
2016-04-06
Mental Health Act 1983
2015-04-01
Mental Health Act 1983
2013-04-28
Mental Health Act 1983
2012-04-02
Mental Health Act 1983
2012-03-27
Mental Health Act 1983
2012-01-03
Mental Health Act 1983
2011-10-01
Mental Health Act 1983
2011-02-15
Mental Health Act 1983
2010-10-01
Mental Health Act 1983
2010-04-12
Mental Health Act 1983
2010-04-01
Mental Health Act 1983
2010-01-19
Mental Health Act 1983
2010-01-01
Mental Health Act 1983
2009-10-31
Mental Health Act 1983
2009-10-01
Mental Health Act 1983
2009-06-01
Mental Health Act 1983
2009-04-24
Mental Health Act 1983
2009-04-01
Mental Health Act 1983
2009-03-28
Mental Health Act 1983
2008-11-03
Mental Health Act 1983
2008-10-28
Mental Health Act 1983
2008-07-21
Mental Health Act 1983
2008-07-10
Mental Health Act 1983
2008-04-30
Mental Health Act 1983
2008-04-01
Mental Health Act 1983
2008-01-01
Mental Health Act 1983
2007-12-01
Mental Health Act 1983
2007-10-05
Mental Health Act 1983
2007-10-01
Mental Health Act 1983
2007-05-25
Mental Health Act 1983
2007-05-03
Mental Health Act 1983
2007-04-06
Mental Health Act 1983
2007-04-01
Mental Health Act 1983
2007-03-01
Mental Health Act 1983
2006-04-03
Mental Health Act 1983
2006-04-01
Mental Health Act 1983
2005-12-30
Mental Health Act 1983
2005-12-05
Mental Health Act 1983
2005-10-05
Mental Health Act 1983
2005-09-27
Mental Health Act 1983
2005-06-07
Mental Health Act 1983
2005-05-09
Mental Health Act 1983
2005-04-29
Mental Health Act 1983
2005-04-04
Mental Health Act 1983
2005-04-01
Mental Health Act 1983
2005-03-31
Mental Health Act 1983
2004-07-22
Mental Health Act 1983
2004-07-14
Mental Health Act 1983
2004-05-01
Mental Health Act 1983
2004-04-05
Mental Health Act 1983
2004-04-01
Mental Health Act 1983
2004-01-20
Mental Health Act 1983
2003-10-13
Mental Health Act 1983
2003-09-01
Mental Health Act 1983
2003-02-10
Mental Health Act 1983
2002-10-01
Mental Health Act 1983
1983-05-09
Mental Health Act 1983
original version
Text at this date