Following Key Principles as a Hospital Manager within the Mental health Act;

According to “The Mental Health Act” 1983 there are statutory requirements for those that work within the framework of the act and they also must have a regard for it’s “Code of Practice”;

Purpose Principle
Decisions under the Act must be taken with a view to minimizing the undesirable effects of mental disorder, by maximizing the safety and well being (mental and physical) of patients, promoting their recovery and protecting other people from harm.

Least Restriction Principle
People taking action without a patients consent must attempt to keep to a minimum the restrictions they impose on the patients liberty, having regard to the purpose for which the restrictions are imposed.

Respect Principle
People taking decisions under the Act must recognise and respect the diverse needs, values and circumstances of each patient, including their race, religion, culture, gender, age, sexual orientation and disability.  They muse consider the patients views, wishes and feelings (whether expressed at the time or in advance), so far as they are reasonably ascertainable, and follow those wishes where ever practicable and consistent with the purpose of the decision.  There must be no unlawful discrimination.

Participation Principle
Patients must be given the opportunity to be involved, as far as is practicable in the circumstances, in planning, developing and reviewing their own treatment and care to help ensure that it is delivered in a way that is as appropriate and effective for them as possible.  The involvement of carers, family members and other people who have an interest in the patients welfare would be encouraged (unless there are particular reasons to the contrary) and their views taken seriously.

Resources Principle
People taking decisions under the Act must seek to use the resources available to them and to patients in the most effective, efficient and equitable way, to meet the needs of patients and achieve the purpose for which the decision was taken.

The Mental Health Act and principles make up The Code of Practice and Guiding Principles, they fit together in the following way:

The Act tells us what to do – The Code explains how to do it, and

The Guiding Principles guide us in how to apply the Act to individual situations.

Source: Sussex NHS Foundation Trust.

A basic overview – These statutory requirements; maximize therapeutic outcomes, safety and protection when used in conjunction with each other.

Any Questions?

Dawn Pugh Expert therapist.

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Dawn Pugh Psychotherapist

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Dawn Pugh Psychotherapist