Today the revisedMental Health Act 1983 Code of Practice for Wales was laid before the Assembly andpublished online. The Code will become extant on 3rd October 2016.
The Code provides statutoryguidance to doctors, approved clinicians, managers and staff of hospitals, approvedmental health professionals, independent mental health advocates and localauthorities on how they should proceed when undertaking functions and dutiesunder the Act. It also provides guidance to doctors and other professionalsabout certain aspects of medical treatment for mental disorder.
Additionally, the Code provides non-statutory guidance to the police, ambulanceservices and others in health and social services (including the independentand voluntary sectors) involved in the commissioning or providing services topeople who are, or may become, subject to compulsory measures under the Act.
The Code is intended to beaccessible to patients and families and those who support them.